TY - JOUR
T1 - Encapsulated versus nonencapsulated superficial fatty masses
T2 - A proposed MR imaging classification
AU - Roberts, Catherine C.
AU - Liu, Patrick T.
AU - Colby, Thomas V.
PY - 2003/5/1
Y1 - 2003/5/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the MR imaging appearance of palpable fatty masses and to propose terminology for palpable subcutaneous fatty masses that are nonencapsulated on MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We searched the past 7 years of our institution's radiology database for reports of MR images containing the word "lipoma." Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with palpable masses corresponding to fat. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MR images for the presence of an encapsulated or nonencapsulated fatty mass in the region of the palpable abnormality. Pathologic specimens, when available, were also reviewed. RESULTS. Between 1995 and 2001, 184 palpable subcutaneous fatty masses were evaluated on MR imaging. Of these, 46% (85/184) were encapsulated lipomas and 54% (99/184) were nonencapsulated fatty masses on MR imaging. Four masses (three encapsulated and one nonencapsulated) were surgically resected and had pathology consistent with lipomas. CONCLUSION. Many palpable fatty masses do not have definable capsules on MR imaging. We propose that a palpable mass that corresponds to a nonencapsulated prominence of subcutaneous fat on MR imaging should be reported as a nonencapsulated lipoma. More definitive reporting of this relatively common lesion will assure the referring clinician of the benign nature.
AB - OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the MR imaging appearance of palpable fatty masses and to propose terminology for palpable subcutaneous fatty masses that are nonencapsulated on MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We searched the past 7 years of our institution's radiology database for reports of MR images containing the word "lipoma." Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with palpable masses corresponding to fat. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MR images for the presence of an encapsulated or nonencapsulated fatty mass in the region of the palpable abnormality. Pathologic specimens, when available, were also reviewed. RESULTS. Between 1995 and 2001, 184 palpable subcutaneous fatty masses were evaluated on MR imaging. Of these, 46% (85/184) were encapsulated lipomas and 54% (99/184) were nonencapsulated fatty masses on MR imaging. Four masses (three encapsulated and one nonencapsulated) were surgically resected and had pathology consistent with lipomas. CONCLUSION. Many palpable fatty masses do not have definable capsules on MR imaging. We propose that a palpable mass that corresponds to a nonencapsulated prominence of subcutaneous fat on MR imaging should be reported as a nonencapsulated lipoma. More definitive reporting of this relatively common lesion will assure the referring clinician of the benign nature.
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U2 - 10.2214/ajr.180.5.1801419
DO - 10.2214/ajr.180.5.1801419
M3 - Article
C2 - 12704061
AN - SCOPUS:0037406018
SN - 0361-803X
VL - 180
SP - 1419
EP - 1422
JO - American Journal of Roentgenology
JF - American Journal of Roentgenology
IS - 5
ER -