How can one distinguish an angiolipoma from a lipoma? | Angiolipoma

How can one distinguish an angiolipoma from a lipoma?

An angiolipoma is a special form of lipoma. A lipoma is a tissue swelling that has arisen due to the new formation of fatty tissue. The angiolipoma, on the other hand, is much more vascularized, which means it contains more blood vessels than a lipoma.

Using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, the doctor can determine whether the tumour is a lipoma or an angiolipoma. Lipomas show the same signal intensity in the MRI image as the (subcutaneous) fatty tissue under the skin. In contrast, angiolipomas can be recognized by the numerous vessels within the fat structure.