Foot pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal complaint with plantar fasciitis being one of the most common underlying etiologies. Diagnostic imaging studies are rarely performed for patients with plantar fasciitis. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with a six-month history of left heel pain that was worsened by prolonged standing and walking. She was diagnosed as having plantar fasciitis. Considering the lack of clinical improvement on conservative measures, the patient underwent a plain radiograph, which demonstrated a geographic radiolucent lesion in the calcaneus with well-defined non-sclerotic margins. Subsequently, a computed tomography scan re-demonstrated the lesion as having a fat-attenuation appearance that was classic of lipoma. The patient underwent surgical excision of the tumor and the histopathological examination of the specimen revealed spindle cell lipoma. The patient had complete resolution of the pain following the surgery. Intraosseous lipoma is a very rare benign primary bone tumor. The case demonstrated that the intraosseous lipoma may have similar clinical features to plantar fasciitis. Hence, physicians should keep a high index of suspicion for the alternate diagnoses of plantar fasciitis in patients who do not exhibit any clinical improvement despite a prolonged period of conservative management.
Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) is a rare slow growing cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma, that is characterized to be locally invasive with high recurrence rate. However, it has poor metastatic capacity.
Objective: We are conducting this literature review to gather evidence-based medicine knowledge regarding Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. Moreover, this study highlights the gaps of knowledge in regard to this disease entity.
Methods: The literature search was conducted by searching the keywords “Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans” and “soft tissue sarcomas” in PubMed and Web of Science databases.
Results: 1,769 potentially relevant results showed matched titles, of which 13 articles met the requirements and were included in the literature review.
Limitations: Vague nonspecific clinical manifestations, makes it challenging to establish an early diagnosis and seek an appropriate counseling. In addition, it is difficult to diagnose due to the slow growing behavior and the tumor’s benign appearance. As a result of all of that there is no enough cases reported in the literature.
Conclusion: This review highlights the need of high index of suspicion to help reach an early and proper diagnosis and to raise awareness. Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans needs a specialized center in order to identify and recognize the disease. The knowledge and awareness of the disease is low since it is rare.
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