title: [Echotomography and hyperechoic angiomas of the liver. The structural aspects in 297 cases].
abstract: Two-hundred-seventy-nine hyperechoic liver hemangiomas were studied with sonography (US) in order to define their structural patterns and the incidence of the different signs that could be used for diagnostic purpose. For each hemangioma the following parameters were considered: hypoechoic areas inside the mass, posterior acoustic enhancement, hypoechoic halo surrounding the lesion, posterior attenuation, and calcifications. Hemangiomas were equally frequent in both sexes (1:1.1), and many patients presented with multiple lesions (44.7%). Hypoechoic areas were present in 70% of the hemangiomas, and acoustic enhancement in 29%. Other signs had a lower incidence: hypoechoic halo 2.86%, posterior attenuation 2.15%, and calcifications 1.1%. The authors believe that, in non-neoplastic patients, a hyperechoic hepatic lesion presenting with hypoechoic areas and acoustic enhancement, with no surrounding hypoechoic halo, can be confidently diagnosed as a hemangioma by US alone.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Eidologiche e Radiologiche, Università, Siena.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Volterrani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guercia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guidoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guercia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cetta
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tucci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography
vernacular_title: Ecotomografia e angiomi iperecogeni del fegato. Aspetti strutturali in 297 casi.