An imaging evaluation of angiodysplasia syndromes

Current imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance a ngiography, computer tomography, ultrasound, plain x-rays, and lymphangiosc intigraphy have enhanced the ability to define blood and lymph vascular mal formations in more precise pathophysiologic terms. Not only can these imagi ng modalities distinguish arterial anomalies from lymphatic and venous angi odysplasia, but they also readily differentiate edema in the epifascial as opposed to the subfascial peripheral compartments. Moreover, visceral lymph angiectasia (e.g., chylous and non-chylous reflux), bone and muscle overgro wth, agenesis, and fat deposits can also be delineated Clinical examples ar e provided including an algorithm for approaching these conditions.