title: Giant hemangioma of the liver: MR imaging characteristics in 24 patients.
abstract: We retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of giant hemangiomas in 24 patients. MRI studies comprised T1-weighted, T2-weighted and serial gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient echo (SGE) images. Morphologic features, signal characteristics and enhancement patterns were assessed. Histopathologic evaluation was obtained in nine patients. On T2-weighted images all lesions (size 5.7-24 cm) were hyperintense relative to the spleen and two dominant patterns of heterogeneity were demonstrated: a central heterogeneous area of either bright, dark, or mixed signal intensity, and a network of multiple fibrous septa of low signal intensity. Histopathologic evaluation of two lesions with a central bright area demonstrated the presence of hypocellular myxoid tissue. Central enhancement (9 lesions) and an irregular flame-shaped peripheral pattern of enhancement (12 lesions) were present in lesions with a mean diameter greater than 10 cm. Although giant hemangiomas show greater variability in their MR imaging appearance, an accurate diagnosis can be made through still characteristic features of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and discontinuous peripheral enhancement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ioana Maria
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Danet
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Semelka
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Armao
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Woosley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium