"Aggressive fibromatosis, also known as dermoid fibromatosis, is a type of musculoskeletal fibromatosis 10. While it is a non-metastasising fibrous lesion, it is thought to be a true neoplasm that arises from the fascial and musculoaponeurotic coverings, sometimes at the site of a traumatic or post-surgical scar."
"T1: homogeneously isointense or mildly hyperintense"
"T2/STIR: high heterogeneous signal"
"T1 C+ (Gd): typically enhances avidly"
"GE: peripheral areas of smooth low signal intensity that do not represent calcification (check radiographs) or haemorrhage (check gradient images/scouts for blooming) are characteristic"
"Aggressive fibromatosis can occur in the superficial or deep soft tissues anywhere in the body. However, the head and neck regions have been reported in 25% of cases, with the supraclavicular fossae and neck being the most common locations."
"GE: peripheral areas of smooth low signal intensity that do not represent calcification (check radiographs) or haemorrhage (check gradient images/scouts for blooming) are characteristic"
"It does not have any propensity for metastasis although it can aggressively invade structures. The optimal management for aggressive fibromatosis depends on tumour location and extent. Surgical resection may be offered although the likelihood of local recurrence after surgery is high, particularly if margins are positive. Moderate-dose radiotherapy alone for gross disease or after a microscopically incomplete resection yields local control rates of approximately 75-80% 3. Treatment with pharmacologic agents results in objective response rates of approximately 40-50%."
Expected headings
"Angiography"
"The term aggressive fibromatosis is occasionally used synonymously with desmoid tumours by some authors 5,10. This article will focus on the musculoskeletal presentation of this tumour; for the abdominal presentation, please refer to the latter."