Splenic hemangiomas: contrast-enhanced sonographic findings

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Splenic hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors.
• Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe baseline and contrast-enhanced sonographic features of splenic hemangiomas.
• To identify typical and atypical enhancement patterns.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 27 splenic hemangiomas by two experienced radiologists.
• Analysis of baseline and contrast-enhanced sonography.
• Confirmation of diagnoses through splenectomy, biopsy, CT, MRI, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Baseline sonography showed homogeneous, hyperechoic texture in 77.8% of lesions.
• Color Doppler was non-diagnostic in 81.5% of cases.
• Post-contrast, 59.2% exhibited arterial phase enhancement with late isoenhancement; 29.6% showed some enhancement but remained hypoechoic; 11.1% demonstrated arterial enhancement with late wash-out.

Conclusions:

• Isoechogenicity in all phases is the most common enhancement pattern for splenic hemangiomas on contrast-enhanced sonography.
• Atypical enhancement patterns can occur.
• Further cross-sectional imaging may be required for definitive assessment.