Pelvic solitary plasmacytoma: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings with histopathologic correlation

Korean J Radiol. 2015 Jan-Feb;16(1):146-53. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.1.146. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the imaging features of pelvic solitary plasmacytoma and to correlate them with the pathologic grade.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed on the imaging features of 10 patients with a histological diagnosis of pelvic solitary plasmacytoma. The imaging studies were assessed for bone expansion, cortical destruction, signal intensity/density of soft tissue mass and enhancement manifestations, which were then correlated to the pathologic grade.

Results: The imaging features of pelvic solitary plasmacytoma revealed 3 different types: multilocular type (n = 5), unilocular type (n = 2) and complete osteolytic destruction type (n = 3) on computed tomography and MRI. Pathologically, the tumors were classified into low, intermediate and high grades. Features such as multilocular change, perilesional osteosclerosis, slight expansion, local bone cortex disruptions and masses inside bone destruction, often suggest a low-grade solitary plasmacytoma; complete osteolytic destruction, huge soft tissue mass, and osseous defects imply a higher pathologic grade.

Conclusion: Pelvic solitary plasmacytoma has various imaging manifestations, while a slight expansile osteolytic feature with multilocular change or homogeneous enhancement highly suggests its diagnosis. The distinctive imaging features of pelvic solitary plasmacytoma are well correlated to the pathologic grade.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pathologic grade; Pelvic neoplasms; Plasmacytoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Plasmacytoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Plasmacytoma / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed