Mesenteric chillous lymphangioma. Visualization features on opposed-phase MR images

Abstract

Objective. We aimed to research abilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determination of the contents of the cysts, including fat suspension.Methods. MRI study of patient with mesenteric chylous lymphangioma and experimental MRI study of a fantom containing fat suspension were done.Results. MRI study of patient revealed non organic abdominal cystic lesion with significant decrease of MR-signal intensity on out-of-phase GRE images. MRI imaging of fantom with fat suspension also showed low MR-signal intensity on out-of-phase images.Conclusion. Opposed-phase GRE sequences can be used not only for determining high content intracellular fat in tissues, but for determining lipids in fat containing suspensions as well. Homogeneous decrease of signal intensity on out-of-phase images in extraorgan abdominal cystic lesion indicate its chylous character. That is why cystic lesion, presented in this article, most likely to be chylous cyst or mesenteric lymphangioma.