Hepatic Hemangioma: Findings of Spiral CTHA and CTAP

Kim, Yun Hwan; Lee, Chang Hee; Suh, Won Hyuck

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the characteristic finding of hepatic hemangioma on spiral CT during hepatic arteriography(CTHA) and arterial portography(CTAP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-eight hepatic hemangionas inten patients were analyzed by spiral CTHA & CTAP, and were confirmed by US, conventional CT, MRI, and follow-upimages. Their sizes varied between 5 and 6cm(average 1.8cm) ; using CTHA and CTAP, enhancement patterns were analysed according to size, and on CTHA were found to be homogeneous hyperattenuating(HH), peripheral globular hyperattenuating(PG), and mixed(M) type.
RESULTS
All hepatic hemangiomas showed perfusion defects on CTAP. OnCTHA, the PG type accounted for 16 of 28 hemangiomas(57%), the HH type for 7(25%), and the M type for 5(18%) ;CTHA also showed that 23 hemangiomas(82%) had an irregular enhanced margin.
CONCLUSION
On CTHA, the most common characteristic finding of hepatic hemangioma was the peripheral globular enhancement pattern(57%). In the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma or other liver metastasis, CTHA is more useful than CTAP ; in all cases the latter showed only perfusion defects.