Findings in primary hepatic carcinoid tumor: US, CT, MRI, and angiography

Two asymptomatic patients with surgically proven solitary primary hepatic carcinoid tumors are reported. Ultrasonography showed hyperechoic masses containing multiple small cystic areas in both cases. On unenhanced CT, one tumor was of low density and one was isodense with multiple low density foci. One tumor showed marked retention of contrast medium on post-angiographic CT. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed low intensity masses on T1-weighted images and high intensity tumors with multiple areas of higher intensity on T2-weighted imaging. The small low density areas in these masses corresponded histopathologically to multiple vascular lakes. Late enhancement of the mass was presumed to correspond with proliferative fibrous tissue within the mass.