Radiological-pathological correlation in lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis

Abstract

Background: Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are uncommon benign mesenchymal lesions that predominantly occur in infancy and early childhood.

Objective: To evaluate the imaging and histological features of lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis.

Materials and methods: Retrospective review of the radiological and pathological findings in children with lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis treated at a single centre between 1997 and 2004.

Results: Eight children (median age 18 months) had undergone imaging and surgery at our institution. An infiltrative growth pattern was identified at imaging in two children with lipoblastomatosis, and a well-defined mass in six children with lipoblastoma. In all patients, imaging showed a lesion composed mostly, but not entirely, of fat. There were no recurrences at follow-up of between 1 and 91 months.

Conclusion: In infancy and early childhood, the identification of a tumour composed mostly of fat should suggest the diagnosis of lipoblastoma or lipoblastomatosis.