FIG 3. 51-year-old woman after radical maxillectomy and orbitectomy for poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of maxillary sinus origin and placement of a large rectus abdominis free flap. This case illustrates persistent enhancement and subsequent flap atrophy.

A and B were obtained 4 months after surgery.

A, Axial T1-weighted (400/9/2) image shows an anteriorly situated fatty component (black dots) and a posteriorly situated muscular component with internal striations (asterisks).

B, Contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed T1-weighted (450/9/2) image shows signal suppression in the fatty component and bright enhancement of the muscular component (asterisks).

C, Contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed T1-weighted (583/9/2) image obtained 9 months after A and B shows persistent enhancement of a much smaller, atrophied muscular graft component (arrowheads). The size of the fatty component is unchanged.