Magnetic resonance imagery of a calcaneal lipoma

Abstract

An intraosseous lipoma of the calcaneus has been present and stable in this patient for at least 16 years; the only change has been an increase in the central calcification of the tumor. Because of the apparent stability of the lesion and the patient's complete lack of symptoms, no surgical intervention has been attempted. A baseline magnetic resonance image of the tumor was obtained to confirm the diagnosis and to aid in ruling out malignant degeneration of the tumor. The magnetic resonance image appearance of the calcaneal lipoma; increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images, with areas of decreased signal intensity centrally within the lesion; and corresponding increased signal intensity on the T2-weighted images and Short Tau Inversion Recovery suppression, are consistent with the descriptions from various texts on magnetic resonance imaging of the foot and ankle.