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MRI findings in lingual venous malformations
A Lo Casto1, S Salerno, F Cannizzaro
1Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Legale, Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche, Università di Palermo, Italy. antoniolocasto@hotmail.com
Dento Maxillo Facial Radiology
|January 8, 2004
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps identify lingual venous malformations, which appear as hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted images. Contrast-enhanced MRI is crucial for distinguishing these from other tongue lesions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Vascular Malformations
- Head and Neck Imaging
Background:
- Lingual venous malformations (LVMs) are rare vascular anomalies presenting as submucosal masses.
- Distinguishing LVMs from other tongue lesions on MRI can be challenging, particularly on T2-weighted images.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the plain and contrast-enhanced MRI findings of LVMs.
- To emphasize the role of contrast-enhanced MRI in the differential diagnosis of high-intensity tongue lesions on T2-weighted images.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of eight patients with LVMs.
- Acquisition of plain and contrast-enhanced spin echo (SE) T1-weighted and fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted MRI sequences.
- Inclusion of spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) T1-weighted sequences before and after contrast administration.
Main Results:
- LVMs appeared as lobulated masses, isointense or slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images and highly hyperintense on T2-weighted images.
- Homogeneous, slow enhancement was observed after contrast injection.
- Phleboliths or flow voids were occasionally seen as hypointense foci or strands.
Conclusions:
- MRI findings of LVMs are distinctive.
- Contrast-enhanced MRI is essential for differentiating LVMs from other high-intensity lingual lesions on T2-weighted images.