Hepatic haemangioma: common and uncommon imaging features

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013 Sep;94(9):849-59. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.04.008. Epub 2013 Jun 21.

Abstract

The haemangioma, the most common non-cystic hepatic lesion, most often discovered by chance, may in certain situations raise diagnostic problems in imaging. In this article, the authors first demonstrate that the radiological appearance of the hepatic haemangioma, in its typical form, is closely related to three known histological sub-types. They then show that certain atypical features should be known in order to establish a diagnosis. They also observe the potential interactions between the haemangioma, an active vascular lesion, and the adjacent hepatic parenchyma. Finally, they discuss the specific paediatric features of hepatic haemangiomas and illustrate the case of a hepatic angiosarcoma.

Keywords: Atypia; CT-scan; Haemangioma; Liver; MRI.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Hemangioma / classification
  • Hemangioma / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / classification
  • Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Incidental Findings
  • Infant
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / classification
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Rare Diseases
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Ultrasonography / methods