Soft tissue hemangiomas: MR manifestations in 23 patients

Abstract

In order to assess magnetic resonance (MR) findings, MR images of 23 patients with soft tissue hemangiomas were reviewed retrospectively. All but five hemangiomas were proven histologically. All hemangiomas showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images; common MR findings were high signal intensity in some areas on T1-weighted images (70%), the configuration of multiple small lobules or tubules (57%), and signal voids (70%). We observed all three of these findings in 6 cases (26%), two of three in 11 cases (48%), only one in 5 cases (22%), and none in 1 recurrent case. Five of 11 intramuscular hemangiomas (45%) showed atrophic change of muscles. Parts of the tubular pattern enhanced in 15 out of 17 patients with a T1-weighted sequence after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Dilated vessels were seen in 2 of 4 with MR angiography. No single feature is specific for hemangioma, but a combination of several MR findings may allow a correct diagnosis.