Ultrasonographic features of fibrous hamartoma of infancy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) is a rare benign tumor affecting young children.
• Accurate imaging diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and to differentiate from other pediatric soft tissue masses.
• Ultrasonography (US) is often the initial imaging modality for superficial pediatric lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the characteristic imaging features of fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI).
• To emphasize the role of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of FHI.
• To correlate US findings with Doppler US and MRI characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 13 pediatric patients with pathologically confirmed FHI.
• Analysis of imaging features from ultrasonography (US), Doppler US, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Evaluation of lesion location, size, echogenicity, margin characteristics, vascularity, and MRI signal intensity.

Main Results:

• Thirteen pediatric patients (mean age 11.3 months) with FHI were analyzed.
• US demonstrated heterogeneous hyperechogenicity with a 'serpentine pattern' and ill-defined or lobulated margins in most masses.
• Doppler US showed minimal to no vascularity, and MRI revealed heterogeneous signal intensity with evidence of fat.

Conclusions:

• Fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) typically presents in children under 2 years old.
• Characteristic US findings include a heterogeneously hyperechoic mass with a 'serpentine pattern' and indistinct margins.
• The absence of significant vascularity on Doppler US supports the diagnosis of FHI.