From tumor to trauma: etiologically deconstructing a unique differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal entities with high signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI.

Objective: This article reviews the neoplastic and nonneoplastic abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system that contain high signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI. The physical properties accounting for the increased signal intensity as well as the key clinical and imaging characteristics of each entity are discussed.

Conclusion: Recognition of high signal intensity within musculoskeletal lesions on T1-weighted MRI can limit the differential diagnosis and can also have important clinical implications.