Value of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of hemangiomas from lymphangiomas in the oral and maxillofacial region.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate hemangioma from lymphangioma in the oral and maxillofacial region.


METHODS
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 20 patients (21 masses: 17 hemangiomas and 4 lymphangiomas) through use of either a 0.2-T permanent system or a 0. 5-T superconductive system and spin-echo pulse sequences.


RESULTS
After intravenous administration of contrast medium, enhancement was observed in all hemangiomas in areas corresponding to those with high signal on T(2)-weighted images. Unequivocally increased signal was observed in 10 masses, and slightly increased signal was observed in 7 masses. On the other hand, none of the lymphangiomas showed an enhancing mass on contrast-enhanced T(1)-weighted images.


CONCLUSIONS
Although contrast-enhanced T(1)-weighted imaging may not improve delineation of masses in all cases, it can be used to differentiate between deep hemangiomas and lymphangiomas.
Yonetsu
K
K
Kyushu University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Fukuoka, Japan.
Nakayama
E
E
Kawazu
T
T
Kanda
S
S
Ozeki
S
S
Shinohara
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA