J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Apr;32(4):613-616.

MR Imaging of Soft Tissue Hemangioma of the Extremity

• Lee SH
• Kang HS
• Kim CW
• Shin YM
• Lee HK
• Kim HD

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyse the MR imaging characteristics of the soft tissue hemagiomas of the extremity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed histopathologically proven 18 cases of hemangiomas of the extremity including 15 cavernous hemangiomas, 2 venous hemangiomas and 1 capillary hemangioma. The lesions were frequent in female and low extremity. We analyzed the site, extent, margin, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, the homogeniety of internal architecture, and abnormal vessels near the lesion.
RESULTS
The extensive lesions involving multiple muscle and tissue layers were more frequent than localized lesions (12/18). Twelve cases had ill defined margin. In most cases, the lesion was heterogeneous mass composed of nodular and septal components. The nodular component showed intermediate signal intensity in T1WI and hign signal intensity in T2WI. The setal component showed mixed inconstant signal intensity. One case of capillary hemangioma showed relatively homogeneous signal intensity than cavernous hemangioma and the main portion of 2 venous hemangiomas had mutilple tubular signal voids. At least some portion of the lesion was enhanced in all enhanced cases.
CONCLUSION
The soft tissue hemangiomas of the extremity showed characteristic MR findings and MRI would be an useful method in the diagnosis of the soft tissue hemangiomas of the extremity.

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Extremities*
Female
Hemangioma*
Hemangioma, Capillary
Hemangioma, Cavernous
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Retrospective Studies