Fat-containing lesions of the chest

Radiographics. 2002 Oct:22 Spec No:S61-78. doi: 10.1148/radiographics.22.suppl_1.g02oc08s61.

Abstract

Although most lesions that occur in the chest have a nonspecific soft-tissue appearance, fat-containing lesions are occasionally encountered at cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging. The various fat-containing lesions of the chest include parenchymal and endobronchial lesions such as hamartoma, lipoid pneumonia, and lipoma. Endobronchial hamartoma usually appears at CT as a lesion with a smooth edge, focal collections of fat, or fat collections that alternate with foci of calcification. Mediastinal fat-containing lesions include germ cell neoplasms, thymolipomas, lipomas, and liposarcomas. The most frequent CT manifestation of the germ cell neoplasm teratoma is a heterogeneous mass with soft-tissue, fluid, fat, and calcium attenuation. Cardiac lesions with fat content include lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Diagnosis of the former is made with CT when a smooth, nonenhancing, well-marginated fat-containing lesion is identified in the interatrial septum. Finally, fat may herniate into the chest at several characteristic locations. When such a lesion is identified, the time required for differential diagnosis is significantly reduced, often allowing a definitive radiologic diagnosis. Sagittal and coronal reformatted images can add valuable information by showing diaphragmatic defects and hernia contents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hamartoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Lipoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Liposarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pericardium
  • Pneumonia, Lipid / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Blastoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography
  • Teratocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Teratoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*