Abstract
The purpose of this study was to achieve better understanding of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC). 13 cases of EMC confirmed by surgery biopsy were retrospectively studied. All patients underwent preoperative CT or/and MRI examinations. Among six patients who underwent preoperative CT examinations, six cases of lesions exhibited hypodensity on unenhanced image, three cases of tumor showed funicular spots or patchy calcification, and four cases of tumor did not show any obvious enhancement after enhanced CT scan. Among ten patients who underwent preoperative MRI examination, 8 cases of tumor revealed uniform or slight hyposignal intensity on T1WI, 10 cases of tumor demonstrated lobulated hypersignal intensity with multiple low signal intensity of interval septa on T2WI, and 5 cases of lesions indicated characteristic appearance: septa enhancement with tumor stroma between interval septa being unenhanced. EMC usually occurred at older men and at certain location such as limbs, trunk, and subcutaneous tissues. EMC usually exhibited low density mass (mostly 20-40HU) with calcification and in a portion of the cases showed light or no enhancement on CT. On MRI, EMC showed lobulated hypersignal intensity on T2WI with characteristic arc, septa, or interval septa enhancement.
Highlights
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare lowgrade malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain differentiation characterized by abundant myxoid matrix located in the soft tissues
We reported Computer tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of 13 cases of EMC with corresponding pathological analyses
EMC is likely to exist at certain ages in certain genders and in specific body regions
Summary
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare lowgrade malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain differentiation characterized by abundant myxoid matrix located in the soft tissues. It affects mainly the soft tissues of the proximal end of long bones. EMC demonstrate a strong tendency for local recurrence (37- 48%) and metastatic disease (50%), usually pulmonary [3]. Survival to discharge was more common among EMC patients than other soft tissue sarcoma patients [4]. EMC has a male preference, and this occurs in soft tissue area in patients who are more than 40 years old [5, 6]
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