Synovial sarcomas of the head and neck: MR findings

OBJECTIVE: MR images of six synovial sarcomas of the head and neck were evaluated to determine their characteristic sites of origin, size, extent, intensity, and contrast enhancement. It was hoped that specific MR characteristics could be defined to suggest this entity.

CONCLUSION: A nonmucosal head and neck mass that is isointense to gray matter on T1-weighted images and is well defined yet heterogeneous, with septations, hemorrhage, cysts, calcification, or multilocularity, should raise suspicion of a synovial sarcoma. Because the appearance of synovial sarcomas varies and other masses may appear similar, no specific imaging characteristics define the entity.