Can 3 D Shape and Textural analysis Differentiate Liposarcomas from Benign Lipomas ?

Introduction: The differentiation of lipoma from low-grade liposarcoma is difficult with imaging [1]. This is a significant clinical problem because biopsy is invasive, particularly for abdominal and pelvic tumors. In addition, biopsy is vulnerable to sampling error [2], and can potentially exacerbate spreading of tumor cells [3]. Liposarcomas have been evaluated for greater internal heterogeneity and border spiculation than lipomas [4], but these signs may be subtle or unapparent even to the experienced eye. We used post-processing analysis of tumor margins and texture to determine the ability of quantitative shape and texture analysis to differentiate lipoma and liposarcoma on conventional T1-weighted MR images.