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  • Title: Elastofibroma: a rare soft tissue tumour with a pathognomonic anatomical location and clinical symptom.
    Author: Hayes AJ, Alexander N, Clark MA, Thomas JM.
    Journal: Eur J Surg Oncol; 2004 May; 30(4):450-3. PubMed ID: 15063901.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Elastofibromas are rare benign soft tissue tumours that are almost always located at the inferior pole of the scapula, deep to the serratus anterior muscle. Their anatomical location and a distinctive clinical symptom distinguish them from malignant soft tissue tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective histo-pathological database of all soft tissue tumours referred for treatment to the Royal Marsden Hospital between 1995 and 2003 was searched. Seven patients treated in this institution with a histological diagnosis of elastofibroma were identified. RESULTS: The usual presenting symptoms were that of a mass at the angle of the scapula (7/7), and clunking of the scapula on shoulder abduction (5/7). Pain was an infrequent symptom (1/7). Imaging by CT or MR usually indicated an indeterminate soft tissue neoplasm deep to the peri-scapular muscles, but the histological diagnosis was confirmed pre-operatively by core biopsy in all patients. Subsequent surgical excision was only performed if symptoms were severe. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of these benign neoplasms is typical and the suspected clinical diagnosis can be confirmed easily by core biopsy. Surgery can be safely reserved for symptomatic patients.
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