Neurotized Free Muscle Flaps can Produce MRI Changes Mimicking Tumour Recurrence.
Soft tissue sarcomas are investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both for initial staging and follow-up. We describe the presence of increased signal on T2-weighted images caused by a neurotized muscle flap following reconstructive surgery. This raised concern about possible sarcoma recurrence that was not clinically evident. On post-operative imaging of sarcomas the presence of recurrent tumour is indicated by a mass and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. However, high signal changes in skeletal muscle on T2-weighted images are not specific. In this case, the free functioning muscle transfer with neurotization of the flap mimicked recurrence on MR scan. High signal intensity on T2-weighted images in muscle is an indication of either a physiological change or a pathological condition and must be taken in context of the clinical picture.
O'Neill
J K
JK
Departments of Radiology and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Barrack Road Exeter EX2 5DW UK.
Barrett
J A
JA
Cobley
T
T
Devaraj
V
V
Silver
D A T
DA