Intramuscular myxoma: magnetic resonance features

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in six cases of intramuscular myxoma of the extremities and revealed the following characteristics. All tumours were confined to muscle and had a sharply defined border. All had a signal intensity lower than skeletal muscles on T1-weighted images and brighter than fat on T2-weighted images. The signals were homogeneous on both T1- and T2-weighted images. This study did not include contrast enhancement. The diagnosis was confirmed by an open biopsy. All tumours were resected with no recurrence. Diagnosis based on these MRI characteristics was incorrect in two cases of intramuscular ganglia and in a case of intramuscular cysticercus cellulose. MRI features of intramuscular myxoma are typical in the majority of cases. Benign intramuscular lesions that contain mainly fluid can mimic intramuscular myxomas.