MRI Findings of Spinal Epidural Angiolipomas with Literature Review / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To investigate the MRI findings and to improve the understanding of spinal epidural angiolipomas. Materials and Methods MRI findings were retrospectively analyzed in two cases of surgery and pathology proven spinal epidural angiolipomas. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Results Two cases of spinal epidural angiolipomas were located in the lumber and lower thoracic spinal canal. The tumors were elongated or spindle in shape within the epidural space, and parallel to the longitudinal axis. In both cases part of the tumors were hyperintense on T1WI and T2WI, attenuated on fat-saturated sequences with mild enhancement. Some areas were hypointenseon T1WI, hyperintenseon T2WI, unattenuated on fat-saturated sequences with apparent enhancement. Angiolipomas were classified according to the MRI features. One was type I and the other was type III. Both cases were non-infiltrative. Conclusion MRI shows the size, shape, MRI signals and the association with the adjacent structure of spinal epidural angiolipomas. The MRI classification is helpful for improving the understanding of the tumor. MRI is the best imaging modality to diagnose spinal epidural angiolipomas.