MRI of angiosarcoma associated with chronic lymphoedema: Stewart Treves syndrome

Abstract

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare complication of a chronic lymphedematous extremity (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Early recognition of these aggressive tumours is important, as they have a high incidence of local recurrence and metastasis. This report describes the MRI appearance of Stewart-Treves syndrome in a patient with a background of lumpectomy, axillary node dissection and radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. MRI revealed a lobulated cutaneous mass of intermediate signal on T(1) weighted imaging, and low signal on T(2) weighted imaging, with diffuse enhancement following contrast.