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[Color Doppler sonography of superficial capillary hemangiomas]
S Bakhach1, N Grenier, J Berge
1Services de Radiologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin, 33076 Bordeaux.
Insights
Color Doppler sonography reveals evolving patterns in infantile hemangiomas. Echogenicity and resistive index changes correlate with age and lesion type, indicating typical developmental phases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Vascular Malformations
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors.
- Their sonographic characteristics can vary with age and evolution.
- Color Doppler sonography is a key imaging modality for assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze morphologic and hemodynamic features of infantile hemangiomas using color Doppler sonography.
- To correlate sonographic findings with patient age and lesion characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 94 hemangiomas in 87 children across four age groups.
- Qualitative assessment of echogenicity and vascularization.
- Quantitative measurement of resistive index (RI) in 78 cases.
Main Results:
- Hemangiomas appeared as vascularized solid masses, with varying echogenicity (63% hypoechoic, 16% hyperechoic, 21% mixed).
- Hyperechoic lesions were more common in older infants (>12 months).
- Mean RI was higher in the youngest (0-3 months) and oldest (>12 months) age groups, and in hyperechoic lesions.
Conclusions:
- Superficial hemangiomas exhibit characteristic, yet variable, sonographic patterns on gray-scale, spectral, and color flow imaging.
- These sonographic fluctuations likely reflect the dynamic phases of hemangioma development and evolution.
Purpose:
Retrospective analysis of the morphologic and hemodynamic characteristics of hemangiomas in infants provided by color Doppler sonography.
Materials And Methods:
94 hemangiomas were studied in 87 children separated into four classes of age (0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, > 12 months). Eleven were followed with several examinations. Echogenicity, compared to normal subcutaneous tissues, and degree of vascularization were assessed qualitatively. Resistive index (RI) was measured in 78 cases.
Results:
All lesions presented as vascularized solid masses: 63% were hypoechoic, 16% hyperechoic and 21% mixed. All hypoechoic and mixed lesions showed higher vascularity than hyperechoic ones. Hyperechoic hemanigomas were more frequent in the fourth class of age. Mean resistive index was significantly higher in the first (0.61 +/- 0.14) and the fourth (0.6 +/- 0.14) classes of age than in the second (0.51 +/- 0.12) (p = 0.01 and < 0.03, respectively), and higher in the hyperechoic group (0.7 +/- 0.13) than in the hypoechoic group (0.53 +/- 0.11), (p < 0.01). Seven of 11 cases moved from hypoechoic to hyperechoic or mixed. Increase of resistive index with age was noted in 9/11 cases.
Conclusions:
Superficial hemangiomas have typical but variable gray-scale, spectral and color flow sonographic patterns. These fluctuations are probably related to phases of evolution.