MRI of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor

Abstract

Objective To explore MRI appearances of malignant mixed mesodermal tumors (MMMT) of the uterus. Methods All 9 patients with MMMT were proved by pathology. MRI characteristics of MMMTs in 9 patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of 9 MMMTs,6 were uterus body-based and 3 were cervical-based.Body-based MMMTs tended to be expansive or infiltrative growth with expanded uterus cavity. Cervical-based.MMMTs tended to be exophytic growth without myometrial infiltration. The tumors presented iso- or low signal on T1WI. The body-based MMMTs presented heterogeneously hyper-intense on T2WI ( n =5 ),hemorrhage ( n =1 ),cystic degeneration and necrosis (n =5) were seen within the tumors. Cervical-based MMMTs presented relative hyper-intense signal on T2WI with band or tree-like hypo-intense signal,without hemorrhage and necrosis. Body-based MMMTs were enhanced more obviously than cervical-based MMMTs.Conclusions The growth pattern,MRI signal and enhancement characteristics of cervix and uterus body MMMTs are different. MRI is helpful for the diagnosis of MMMT. Key words: Uterine neoplasms; Mixed tumor,malignant; Magnetic resonance imaging