MR imaging of malignant mesenchymal tumors of the liver

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) features of five primary malignant mesenchymal neoplasms (plasmocytoma, leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and angiosarcoma) of the liver were reported. All tumors were hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. No halo and intravenous extension were noted. A target appearance was revealed in epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. MR findings of angiosarcoma were essentially the same as those of cavernous hemangiomas (markedly hyperintense with hypointense linear septa on T2-weighted images). MR findings of these rare hepatic malignancies were nonspecific, although they were quite different from those of typical hepatocellular carcinomas. This study suggested that MR differentiation of primary hepatic mesenchymal tumors from other common benign and malignant neoplasms was difficult; however, the number of studied cases was limited.

Primary liver leiomyosarcoma: CT appearance

“…Primary malignant mesenchymal tumors of the liver are much rarer than epithelial neoplasms [3]; they occur ten times more often in children than in adults [4]. Among all soft-tissue sarcomas, primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver is exceedingly rare.…”

Primary hepatic sarcomas: CT findings

“…Two cases of hepatic leiomyosarcoma on MR imaging have been discribed in the previous English literature [34,35]. The tumor displays homogenous or heterogeneous hypointensity on Tl-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images with occasional observation of encapsulation.…”

Rare hepatic malignant tumors: dynamic CT, MRI, and clinicopathologic features: with analysis of 54 cases and review of the literature

“…When PHAS appears as a massive lesion, MR images show hemorrhagic and heterogeneous appearance. Studies suggest that differentiation of PHAS from other malignant neoplasms by MRI is difficult; especially because the number of cases is limited [15].…”