MRI : lesion/ osteoma in subcutaneous fat

My son's MRI mentions- There is a 5 mm stucture in the subcutaneous fat within the posterior left temporal region that may represent a small soft tissue lesion or Osteoma.

Doctor's nurse told me we may have to go for another MRI after 6 months or a year to see if there is an increase in size.Right now, they don't seem to be worried.

I am not able to understand MRI report. Subcutaneous Fat means jthe fat ust under the skin. Does this mean the lesion/ Osteoma is between the skin and skull ?

Please pass on your opinion .

Thanks,
Kavita

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine your son and obtain a history and review his imaging, I can not tell you what the exact implications of the MRI findings are. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

It sounds like the lesion on your son's MRI is not within the brain itself, not internal to the skull (not in the brain). Depending on the exact appearance, it could be in the skull (the bone) itself, such as an osteoma, or in the fatty tissue or skin (I can not tell from the report above). As you mention, it could be between the skin and skull. It sounds like it is small (5 mm). Osteomas are usually benign lesions that occur within the skull or other bony structures. Sometimes they can cause pain. In rare patients, these osteomas may be part of a more complex clinical syndrome, and in such cases multiple osteomas may occur in various parts of the skeleton, but in such cases, there are other symptoms and/or findings. If the lesion is not a lipoma, there are several possibilities such as a lipoma (a fatty mass that is also benign), or a sebaceous cyst.

Sometimes, CT scanning is helpful if the lesion is within the bone itself. Treatment is usually observation, with repeat imaging, though in some cases biopsy of the lesion (especially if it is growing) or surgical resection is necessary if symptoms are occuring.
Continued follow-up with your son's physician is recommended.

Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful good luck.