Objective:

To review and analyze the clinical and ultrasonic features of lipoblastoma.

Methods:

A total of 46 cases with pathologically proved lipoblastoma in our hospital were selected. The data including clinical characteristics

ultrasonic images and pathologic results were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

Age: 35 cases were less than or equal to 3 years old (76%). Physical examination: All lesions were single and painless soft tissue masses

among which 39 (85%) wer

e soft or moderate

and 41 (89%) had good or preferable mobility. Location and size: 26 lesions were located in subcutaneous soft tissue (57%)

14 in muscle (30%)

2 (4%) in both subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle

and 4 (4%) in retroperitoneum or mesenterium. The tumor size in most cases (89%) were greater than or equal to 3 cm. Pattern of echogenicity: 33 lesions were hyperechoic (72%)

11 (24%) were hypoechoic and 2 were heterogeneous. Linear or cord-like separations with strong echo were found in 36 lesions (78%). 1 case had calcification in the mass and 1 case had slit-shaped weak echo. Boundary and shape: 35 cases (75%) had clear boundary and regular shape. Blood supply: According to Adler semi-quantitative classification standards

20 lesions (43%) were grouped into grade 0

23 (50%) into grade Ⅰ and 3 (7%) into grade Ⅱ. All lesions could be grouped into diffuse type (36 cases) and localization type (10 cases). The hardness

mobility

location

size

shape and inner hyperechoic separation of lesions between the two types were significantly different (

P

0.05).

Conclusion:

The typical clinical characteristics of lipoblastoma are as follows: Most patients are infants. All lesions are single soft tissue masses. Most lesions are soft or moderate

and have good or preferable mobility. The typical ultrasonic characteristics of lipoblastoma are large hyperechoic subcutaneous mass with strong echoic seperations

regular shape and clear boundary. More than half of them have grade Ⅰ or grade Ⅱ blood supply according to Adler semi-quantitative classification standards. If the mass is hard

larger than 6 cm

and irregular in the muscle without hyperechoic separations

lipoblastomatosis should be taken into account.