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Spindle cell lipoma of the head and neck: CT and MR imaging findings

  • Head and Neck Radiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is an uncommon benign lipomatous tumor, most commonly occurring in the posterior neck and shoulder. The purpose of this study was to investigate the CT and MR imaging features of SCL in the head and neck.

Methods

CT (n = 5) and MR (n = 3) images of seven patients (five men and two women; mean age, 54 years) with surgically proven SCL in the head and neck were retrospectively reviewed. The location and morphologic characteristics of SCL were documented as well.

Results

Six lesions were well-defined and located in the subcutaneous fat of the posterior neck (n = 4), anterior neck (n = 1), and buccal space (n = 1). One lesion was ill-defined and located deeply in the supraclavicular fossa, infiltrating the adjacent shoulder muscles. Intratumoral fat was identified in five lesions in various amounts. Compared with the adjacent subcutaneous fat, intratumoral fat was slightly hyperattenuated on CT scans and slightly hypointense on T1-weighted MR images. In five of six lesions in which postcontrast CT and/or MR images were obtained, significant enhancement was seen in the nonadipose component of the lesion.

Conclusion

Various components of the adipose and nonadipose tissues may cause difficulty differentiating between SCL and other adipocytic tumors including liposarcoma radiologically. Although nonspecific, the radiologist should know the various imaging features of SCL, because the tumor can be cured by simple excision.

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Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Author notes

  1. Jin Wook Choi

    Present address: Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea

    Jin Wook Choi, Hyung-Jin Kim, Hye Jung Kim, Ji Hoon Cha & Sung Tae Kim

  2. Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Korea

    Jinna Kim

Authors
  1. Jin Wook Choi
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  2. Hyung-Jin Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyung-Jin Kim.

Additional information

Hyung-Jin Kim and Jinna Kim contributed equally to this work.

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Choi, J.W., Kim, HJ., Kim, J. et al. Spindle cell lipoma of the head and neck: CT and MR imaging findings. Neuroradiology 55, 101–106 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-012-1098-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-012-1098-5

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