HEPATIC HEMANGIOMAS ON 33 PATIENTS - EVALUATION BY ULTRASOUND, NUCLEAR-MEDICINE, COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND ANGIOGRAPHY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (5) , 245-254
Abstract
Cases (33) of hepatic hemangioma evaluated by various diagnostic tools (ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography and angiography) are reported. Nuclear medicine is the least sensitive and specific (only a report of a lacunar area). Ultrasound sensitivity is very high, also for lesions below 2 cm. Specificity initially very low, is now going to increase according to the operator''s experience. Computed tomography shows good sensitivity and provides typical signs of hemangiomas, especially in the largest tumors. Angiography was not demonstrated in all cases (2 false-negative in lesions below 2 cm). In fact, in smaller hemangiomas often fibrotic tissue is predominant and vascular anomalies may not appear. When surgery is not performed, ultrasound is recommended as non-invasive follow-up.