MRI features of spinal epidural angiolipomas.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the MRI findings in ten patients of spinal epidural angiolipoma for differentiated diagnosis presurgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ten surgically proved cases of spinal epidural angiolipomas were retrospectively reviewed, and the lesion was classified according to the MR findings.

RESULTS:

Ten tumors were located in the superior (n = 4), middle (n = 2), or inferior (n = 4) thoracic level. The mass, with the spindle shape, was located in the posterior epidural space and extended parallel to the long axis of the spine. All lesions contained a fat and vascular element. The vascular content, correlating with the presence of hypointense regions on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted imaging, had marked enhancement. However, there were no flow void signs on MR images. All tumors were divided into two types based on the MR features. In type 1 (n = 3), the mass was predominantly composed of lipomatous tissue (> 50%) and contained only a few small angiomatous regions, which had a trabeculated or mottled appear. In type 2 (n = 7), the mass, however, was predominantly composed of vascular components (> 50%), which presented as large foci in the center of the mass.

CONCLUSION:

Most spinal epidural angiolipomas exhibit hyperintensity on T1WI while the hypointense region on the noncontrast T1WI indicates to be vascular, which manifests an obvious enhancement with gadolinium administration.

• Authors: Su Hu, Chun-hong Hu, Xiao-yun Hu, Xi-ming Wang, Hui Dai, Xiang-ming Fang, Lei Cui
• Journal: Korean journal of radiology (Korean J Radiol) 2013 Sep-Oct Vol. 14 Issue 5 Pg. 810-7 ISSN: 2005-8330 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 24043978 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Angiolipoma (diagnosis, surgery)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Epidural Neoplasms (diagnosis, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laminectomy (methods)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Thoracic Vertebrae
• Young Adult