Diagnosis of the peripheral cavernous haemangioma: comparison of ultrasound, CT and RBC scintigraphy

Thirty-six patients in whom peripheral cavernous haemangioma was clinically suspected were examined by 99mTc red blood cell scintigraphy. Twenty-five of these patients had a palpable lump, and they also underwent an ultrasound examination. Seven patients also had computed tomography and angiography was performed in one patient prior to surgery. Twenty-nine patients had positive scintigrams showing 35 haemangiomas. The ultrasound features were variable and of little value except in anatomical localization. Computed tomography did not add significant extra information. We conclude that 99mTc red blood cell scintigraphy is the preferred diagnostic technique in the investigation of suspected peripheral haemangiomas.