ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the correlation between imaging features and pathological findings of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).Methods The clinical data,radiographic images and pathological characteristics of seven patients with histopathologically proved ASPS from 2003 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.Digital radiography (DR),plain CT,pre and post-contrast MR and DSA were performed in all patients.HE staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were used in pathological examination and CD34 were marked in immunehistochemical study.Results All patients were females.Their age ranged from 16 to 37 years with median of 24 years.Two tumors were located in pelvics,three were located in thighs,and two were located in legs.DR and CT plain scan features of ASPS were non-specific.MR demonstrated the tumors with large diameter and well defined margin locating in the deep tissues.Tumors were hyperintense on T2-weighted and T1-weighted images with many flow void vessels and persistent remarkable enhancement.There were numerous vessels with arteriovenous fistula on DSA.Pathological examination revealed solid nests of several polygonal tumor cells arranged in an alveolar pattern and separated by thinwalled,sinusoidal vascular channels.Tumor cell were noted on periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains.And the endothelial cells of sinusoidal vascular channels were positive on CD34.Conclusions As a malignant tumor which predominantly developed in deep location of trunk or extremities in young females,numerous void signal and hyperintensity on T1-weighted were the features of ASPS on MR.Numerous vessels could also be confirmed on DSA.These image findings were correlated closely with the pathological manifestations.