CT and MRI findings of the incidental intraosseous lipomatous lesions of the sphenoid bone

Background Intraosseous lipomatous lesions of the sphenoid bone and skull base are increasingly seen and cause a diagnostic challenge. The purpose of this study was to present the imaging findings of 4 patients with incidentally identified intraosseous lipomatous lesions within the sphenoid bone. Methods CT scans and MR images of 4 patients are shown. Macroscopic fat content of the lesions were evaluated by fat‐saturated sequences on MRI and by measuring fat density in Hounsfield Units on CT. Results The most striking imaging findings of these well‐defined lesions were their fat content, preservation of foramina, and absence of cortical destruction. Conclusion Intraosseous lipomatous lesions are asymptomatic, fat containing, non‐touch lesions that should be recognized to prevent unnecessary further investigation, such as biopsy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E41–E44, 2016