Sensitivity and positive predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of elastoﬁbroma dorsi: review of fourteen cases Iskandar Tamimi Mari ~ no, MD a, *, Pedro Sesma Solis, MD a , Almudena P  erez Lara, MD b , Javier Martinez Malo, MD a , Maria luz Vazquez, MD c , Faleh Tamimi, BDS, PhD d a Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Carlos Haya University Hospital, Malaga, Spain b Radiology Department, Carlos Haya University Hospital, Malaga, Spain c Histology Department, Carlos Haya University Hospital, Malaga, Spain d Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada Background: Elastoﬁbroma dorsi (ED) is a benign soft tissue tumor that classically presents as an ill- deﬁned mass at the inferior pole of the scapula. Several studies have indicated the beneﬁts of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify ED. In this study, we calculate the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of MRI in the diagnosis of ED using histopathology as the gold standard diagnostic method. Clinical characteristics of ED and radiologic features of MRI as well as treatment options are dis- cussed. Materials and methods: A systematic retrospective review was performed of all ED patients treated in our center between 1999 and 2009. MRI and histopathology samples were performed in all cases. The MRI sensitivity and PPV in the diagnosis of ED were calculated. Results: A total of 15 patients who were treated within the study period were reviewed; of these, were 14 (3 men, 11 women) true ED cases. MRI scan results matched the histopathology in 14 of 15 patients; 1 false-positive patient was observed, and no false-negative patients (negative MRI and positive histopa- thology) were noted. The PPV and sensitivity of MRI scan in the diagnosis of ED were 93.3% (95% conﬁ- dence interval, 68.0%-100.0%) and 100% (95% conﬁdence interval, 75.2%-100.0%) respectively. Conclusions: MRI is a useful tool for assessment of ED and can potentially help avoid the need for unnec- essary biopsy and surgery, especially in the asymptomatic patient. Level of evidence: Level IV, Case-Control Study, Study of Diagnostic Test. Ó 2013 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Keywords: Elastoﬁbroma dorsi; magnetic resonance imaging; sensitivity; positive predictive value; peri- scapular mass; snapping scapula; annual incidence Elastoﬁbroma dorsi (ED) is a benign soft tissue tumor that classically presents as an ill-deﬁned mass at the inferior pole of the scapula. ED may be associated with discomfort, snapping, stiffness, and occasional pain. 8,20 Very rarely, ED can be found in other sites such as the tip of the elbow, near the ischial tuberosities, the deltoid muscle, foot, inguinal The Ethical Committee approved this study. *Reprint requests: Iskandar Tamimi Mari~ no, MD, Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery Department, HRU Carlos Haya, Avenida Carlos Haya, 29010 Malaga, Spain. E-mail address: isktamimi80@yahoo.com (I. Tamimi Mari~ no). J Shoulder Elbow Surg (2013) 22, 57-63 www.elsevier.com/locate/ymse 1058-2746/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2012.02.005