Imaging findings of lipomas in the orofacial region with CT, US, and MRI.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to document retrospectively the imaging findings of lipomas with the use of computed tomography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirteen patients with 11 lipomas and 2 lipomatoses were evaluated. Eleven cases were examined by computed tomography, 9 by ultrasonography, and 3 by magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Lipomas had a density ranging from -134 to -83 Hounsfield units, (mean-108) on the computed tomography images. The margins were ill defined in 9 of 10 cases. The superficial muscles were displaced externally in 8 cases and internally in 2 cases. With ultrasonography, 8 lesions were hypoechoic, and one was hyperechoic. All three lesions had a high signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipomas had a specific range of computed tomography Hounsfield unit values and also displaced the surrounding soft tissue. Although some variation in the ultrasonographic appearance was observed, the lesions tended to be hypoechoic. These findings may be useful for diagnosing lipomas in the orofacial region.