Computed tomography and sonography of cavernous hemangioma of the liver

Accuracy and limitations of computed tomography (CT) and sonography in the detection and diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the liver were analyzed in 39 cases. In 35 of 38 lesions examined by CT before and after bolus contrast enhancement, findings were dense contrast enhancement spreading in all directions on subsequent scans and/or density (other than capsule or septa) higher than normal hepatic parenchyma after 2 min. Lesions smaller than 1 cm were not detected. Misregistration in sequential scans prevented diagnosis of three of nine lesions smaller than 2 cm. Sonography revealed various patterns of mass, but in the smaller lesions, an extremely hyperechoic pattern was dominant. The contributions of CT and sonography depend on the size of the lesions.     

Computed tomography of hepatic cavernous hemangioma

Fifty hepatic hemangiomas in 38 patients were evaluated by CT using sequential scanning following bolus injection. Lesions were assessed for the following CT features: (a) low density lesion on unenhanced scan; (b) early peripheral contrast enhancement; (c) progressive opacification from the periphery to the center; (d) a delay of at least 3 min before total opacification; and (e) eventual isodense appearance with or without unopacified cleft. The criteria for diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma were (d) and (e) plus at least two of the remaining three features. Forty-eight lesions were identified by CT; 38 displayed all five features, five lesions were missing one feature, and five lesions did not meet the criteria for diagnosis. Larger lesions required a significantly longer period to opacify (p less than 0.05). The positive predictive value of CT in the diagnosis of hemangioma was 100%.     

Atypical cavernous hemangioma of the liver

Among 123 cases of hepatic cavernous hemangioma examined by CT, MRI, and/or angiography, four were considered atypical from the viewpoint of differential diagnosis on individual modalities: two cases of nonenhanced tumor, one of diffuse, homogeneous staining and rapid disappearance associated with arterioportal shunt on dynamic CT and/or angiography, and one with a large, internal, high-intensity area on MRI. Although hepatic cavernous hemangiomas are usually accurately diagnosed by the various imaging modalities, some show atypical features.     

Computed tomography of cavernous sinus diseases

Summary We retrospectively analyzed CT scans of 21 cavernous sinus lesions in an attempt to discover CT findings helpful to the differential diagnosis. With the integration of various CT observations it was possible to categorize the lesions into inflammatory, vascular, benign neoplastic and malignant metastatic lesions with few exceptions. Four of 5 cases of septic cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis revealed unilateral or bilateral multiple irregular filling defects in the enhancing cavernous sinus with or without orbital inflammatory change. Four of 5 cases of carotid-cavernous fistula demonstrated unilateral or bilateral diffuse bulging and homogeneous enhancement of the cavernous sinus with obliteration of normal low densities of cranial nerves and gasserian ganglion. Dilatation and tortuosity of superior ophthalmic vein were also associated. Four of 5 cases of benign neoplastic lesion showed well-circumscribed enhancing masses confined to the cavernous sinus with pressure erosion or hyperostosis of adjacent bone. Five of 6 cases of malignant metastatic lesion showed changes suggesting malignancy such as destruction of adjacent bone or associated manifestations of intracranial spread. As compared with the axial scan, coronal scans proved to be more sensitive in detection of subtle cavernous sinus expansion, and superior in evaluation of intracavernous neural structures, relationships with the pituitary gland and changes in the skull base. Axial scans, however, were superior in detection of associated orbital and intracranial abnormalities. Scans in both projections are needed in the evaluation of most cavernous sinus diseases.     

The complementary role of SPECT in the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the liver

Cavernous hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the liver. Although their clinical course is usually uncomplicated, an accurate diagnosis may be important to exclude conditions that need treatment, (or to avoid an unnecessarily risky percutaneous biopsy). Although blood pool scintigraphy using planar gamma camera imaging is a reliable examination for the diagnosis of liver hemangiomas, it may fail to depict small, deeply seated lesions, and hence miss the diagnosis. Two cases are reported in which SPECT demonstrated delayed pooling in small, deep, space-occupying lesions, which were poorly seen on planar images, and therefore made a cavernous hemangioma the most likely diagnosis.     

Noninvasive diagnosis of small cavernous hemangioma of the liver: advantage of MRI

Thirty-three lesions of small cavernous hemangioma of the liver under 3 cm in diameter detected by sonography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed. Sonography detected 23 lesions, plain CT 15 out of 26, and MR 31, including one equivocal. On sonography, 18 of 23 revealed a strong, almost homogeneous hyperechoic mass without a rim. On CT, eight of 33 showed characteristic findings of hemangioma by contrast enhancement. On MRI, 26 of 31 appeared as a markedly high-intensity area, which was rarely the appearance of other hepatic tumors of similar size. Spin-spin relaxation time (T2) of hemangioma was prolonged over 80 msec in 15 of 18 while one of 20 lesions in patients with primary or secondary liver cancers under 3 cm showed T2 of 80 msec or more. MRI in addition to sonography and/or CT allowed detection of almost all cavernous hemangiomas over 1 cm in diameter and diagnosis with considerably high accuracy and specificity. MRI will play an important role in determination of necessity of further invasive diagnostic methods for patients with small liver tumors detected by sonography and/or CT.     

脑实质内海绵状血管瘤的影像学诊断

目的：探讨脑实质内海绵状血管瘤(CA)的CT、MRI、MRA认和DSA表现并比较四种影像学检查方法的诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析20例CA的影像学表现，其中15例经手术病理证实，5例经影像学及临床随访证实。20例进行CT和MRI平扫、MRA认，13例行CT增强扫描，15例行MRI增强扫描，12例行DSA检查。结果：CA可发生于脑内任何部位．以单发多见(17／20，占85％)。20例CA检出25个病灶。CT和MRI平扫均发现所有病灶。CA的CT平扫均表现为高密度或稍高密度；13例CT增强扫描发现15个病灶，其中10个病灶无强化，5个病灶轻度强化。CA的MRI平扫表现为T1WI呈等或低信号12个，高信号8个，混杂信号5个；T2WI全部病灶均表现为高低混杂信号，23个病灶周围伴有低信号环，2个病灶周围有水肿带，无占位效应；15例MRI增强扫描发现17个病灶，其中7个病灶出现瘤体血管床轻中度强化，2个病灶边缘强化，8个病灶无强化。20例CA行3D TOF MRA认均未见异常血管影。12例行全脑DSA检查未见供血动脉与引流静脉。4例表现为毛细血管期或静脉窦期富血管性病变。结论：CA具有较典型的影像学表现．CT和MRI平扫对明确诊断具有重要意义，且MRI优于CT；CA的CT和MRI增强扫描无特征性表现；MRA和DSA对诊断CA价值有限。     

鞍旁海绵状血管瘤的MRI诊断

目的 分析鞍旁海绵状血管瘤(PCH)的MRI表现与特征,探讨MRI对该病的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析9例PCH的临床资料,所有病例均行MRI平扫及增强扫描.结果 PCH位于鞍旁,体积较大,并不同程度伸入到蝶鞍内,外形不规则,瘤周无水肿.T1WI呈稍低信号,T2WI呈高信号,FLAIR较高信号,DWI为等或稍低信号,ADC图呈高信号.1H-MRS表现5例无NNA峰、Cho峰和Cr峰,4例可见较低的Cho峰、NAA峰及Lip峰.增强扫描延迟明显异常强化.结论 PCH具有特征性的MRI表现,MRI对PCH的诊断及鉴别诊断具有重要价值.     

Computerized tomography diagnosis of cavernous thymus hemangioma and differentiation from other mediastinal hemangiomas

A case of cavernous haemangioma of the thymus is reported, including the findings of conventional X-ray imaging, computed tomography, surgery and histology. In addition, the literature of thymic angiomatous mesenchymomas as well as of mediastinal haemangiomas is reviewed. The tumour of a 29-year old and asymptomatic woman was located in the anterior mediastinal compartment at the site of the left thymic lobe. The tumour contained phleboliths and was surrounded by a small capsule of fat. After bolus infusion of contrast agent a delay of enhancement could be detected by CT, which led to the diagnosis. Due to the fact that the status of thymic tumours must assessed with special care, operation and histologic investigation were required. Thymic haemangiomas in contrast to other mediastinal haemangiomas are most amenable to surgical treatment. One year after surgery the patient is still in good health without evidence of tumour regrowth.     

Computed tomography of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver: how sure are we?

The computed tomography diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas has been well documented. We cite a case that fulfilled the criteria for hemangioma, but was pathologically shown to be steatosis. Strict adherence to established criteria may lead to erroneous diagnosis.     

海绵窦海绵状血管瘤的影像诊断与手术治疗

目的:探讨海绵窦海绵状血管瘤CT、MRI表现特征和外科治疗方法,以提高其诊断治疗水平。方法:回顾性分析8例海绵窦海绵状血管瘤影像学表现及经额颞联合耳前颞下入路、改良翼点入路的手术治疗方法。结果:海绵窦海绵状血管瘤呈类圆形或哑铃状,CT平扫为均匀的等、稍高或稍低密度影,伴蝶骨轻度骨质侵蚀;MRI检查T1WI呈等、稍低的均匀信号,T2WI为均匀的高信号;增强扫描显著强化。额颞联合耳前颞下入路全切除1例,次全切除2例;改良翼点入路全切除4例,次全切除1例。结论:海绵窦海绵状血管瘤有一定CT、MRI表现特征,有助于术前诊断;额颞联合耳前颞下入路、改良翼点入路是手术治疗的主要方法。     

Computed tomography of the liver

Computed tomography (CT) has been in clinical use for nearly a decade. The capabilities and potentials of this tool in evaluating disease of various organs are continuously being explored. A number of articles have been published focusing on its clinical applications in hepatic disorders and comparing its efficacy with other imaging modalities. This review presents hepatic CT findings and their utility in clinical practice.