Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Korea University
ABSTRACT
Hepatic hemangioma which is usually small insize and peripheral in location, is the most common benign thumor in the liver. It is less significant clinically because of its no specific symptoms. Hepatic hemangioma therefore, does not need specific treatment, but occasionally due to its large sized lesions, it must be differentated from malignant tumors or other ominous hepatic lesions
The authors evaluated the ultrasonographic findings of 29 lesions of hepatic hemangioma and suggested diagnostic work-ups for the focal echogenic liver lesions.
The results were as follows:
1. The size of tumor was less than 3cm in 27 lesions and more than 3cm in 2.
2. The hemangioma involved right lobe in 25 cases.
3. 26 lesions in 25 patients were seen as hyperechoic pattern and 3 lesions appeared as hypoechoic.
4. Posterior acoustic enhancement was noted in 2 cases of echogenic hemangioma
5. A sonographic follow-up is useful every 3 months in lesions that are less than 2cm, with a hyperechoic, sharply demarcated border.
If the lesion is larger than 2cm, or small but hypoechoic mass, further evaluations with CT, angiography and biopsy are necessary