title: Intramuscular hemangiomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intramuscular hemangiomas are common in the general population and often present at medical and surgical clinics. Unfortunately, unfamiliarity with these lesions has led to a high percentage of misdiagnoses, inappropriate workup, and unnecessary referrals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane. The relevant articles and referenced sources were reviewed for additional articles that discussed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, investigation, and management of intramuscular hemangiomas. Clinical experience from experts in orthopaedics, musculoskeletal pathology, and musculoskeletal radiology was compared. The selected case studies are shared cases of the authors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pathophysiology of these lesions is not completely understood, but much can be implied from their underlying vascular nature. Isolated lesions are benign tumors that never metastasize but tend to enlarge and then involute over time. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice. If a systemic disorder or malignancy is not suspected or has been ruled out, conservative management is the treatment of choice for most intramuscular hemangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wierzbicki
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Scarborough
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine and the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Reith
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Clugston
keywords: hemangioma; intramuscular hemangioma; muscle lesions; vascular malformation