MR-IMAGING OF SKELETAL-MUSCLE HEMANGIOMAS - A REPORT OF 16 CASES

Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate how MR imaging depicts the vascul ar fibrofatty structure of hemangiomas. Material and Methods. MR image s of 16 histologically proven skeletal muscle hemangiomas were reviewe d retrospectively in a nonblinded manner. One patient was examined at 0.5 T, 9 at 1.0 T, and 6 at 1.5 T, and the imaging protocols varied. R esults. All lesions were lobulated/tubular. Signal characteristics of fat were seen in 13 lesions as lace-like thin septa within or around t he rumor. All 16 studies exhibited a hyperintense signal on T2-weighte d spin-echo (SE) (n = 15) or T1-weighted fast fat suppressed inversion recovery SE images (n = 1). Postcontrast images showed marked signal enhancement in parts of the areas, both of high and low T2-weighted si gnal. Surgical staging based on MR images was correct in all lesions. Conclusion: MR images display the characteristic vascular fibrofatty s tructure of hemangiomas and may allow correct diagnosis.