Stewart-Treves syndrome: MR imaging of a postmastectomy upper-limb chronic lymphedema with angiosarcoma

Skeletal Radiol. 2005 Mar;34(3):156-60. doi: 10.1007/s00256-004-0807-5. Epub 2004 Jun 30.

Abstract

The rare occurrence of angiosarcoma in postmastectomy upper-limb lymphedema with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is discussed. Unfamiliarity with this aggressive vascular tumor and its harmless appearance often leads to delayed diagnosis. Angiosarcoma complicating chronic lymphedema may be low in signal intensity on T2-weighting and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging reflecting the densely cellular, fibrous stroma, and sparsely vascularized tumor histology. Additional administration of intravenous contrast medium revealed significant enhancement of the tumorous lesions. Awareness of angiosarcoma and its MR imaging appearance in patients with chronic lymphedema may be a key to early diagnosis or allow at least inclusion in the differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arm
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphangiosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Lymphangiosarcoma / etiology
  • Lymphedema / complications*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mastectomy / adverse effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology
  • Syndrome