Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Evaluation and Classification of Vascular Malformations

Introduction Vascular malformations of the soft tissues are a diverse collection of lesions frequently encountered in clinical practice. Vascular malformations are rare and complex abnormalities that affect both children and young adults. Low-flow malformations are more common in children and often become symptomatic in later years. These malformations are common causes of soft tissue masses in children and can affect any part of the body at any age. Significant advancements in the management of these conditions have been made due to the implementation of a comprehensive binary categorization system, which classifies vascular abnormalities into tumors and malformations based on their clinicopathological characteristics. Imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plays a crucial role in the accurate identification, localization, and classification of these lesions, aiding in the development of appropriate treatment plans. Materials and methods This prospective study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, from August 2022 to June 2024. Fifty patients of all age groups with clinically suspected soft tissue vascular malformations were included. MRI was performed using a MAGNETOM Vida (3T) Scanner (Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, Mumbai, India), and ultrasound was used as an adjunct. Institutional Ethics Committee clearance and informed consent were obtained. The study employed various MRI sequences, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) fast spin echo (FSE), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) FSE, short tau inversion recovery (STIR), T2-weighted gradient recalled echo (GRE), pre-contrast fat-saturated T1WI, 3D post-contrast T1WI, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and ANGIO TWIST (time-resolved angiography with interleaved stochastic trajectories) ISO. Results The study included 50 patients, with a male predominance of 28 (56%). The mean age was 22.13 years, and the average duration of vascular malformations was 32.94 months. The swelling was present in 43 (86%) of patients, and 35 (70%) had superficial lesions. MRI findings revealed hypointensity on T1 imaging in 40 (80%) patients and hyperintensity on T2 imaging in 49 (98%) cases. STIR sequences showed hyperintensity in all patients. The most common type of vascular malformation was slow-flow 46 (92%), with venous malformations being the most prevalent 39 (78%). Conclusion MRI is a valuable imaging modality for the evaluation and classification of vascular malformations, providing detailed information on lesion extent and involvement of surrounding tissues. The findings support the use of MRI as a primary tool in the assessment of vascular malformations, with ultrasound serving as a useful adjunct in certain cases. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these findings and refine imaging protocols.