Hemangioma of the liver: heterogeneous appearance on T2-weighted images

We reviewed the gross photographs of 19 patients with hemangioma of the liver. On cut sections, all 19 tumors were inhomogeneous. In 17 cases (89%) there were areas of predominantly central fibrosis. Lobulations were present in 10 cases (53%). Areas of thrombosis (nine cases), calcification (four cases), and hemorrhage (four cases) were also present. We also reviewed 15 hemangiomas of the liver in 12 patients studied by MR imaging. Gross photographs and MR scans were available in three hemangiomas, thus allowing direct radiologic-pathologic correlation. Twelve (80%) of the hemangiomas were inhomogeneous on T2-weighted images and three (20%) were homogeneous. Other characteristics were sharp margins in all 15 cases (100%), lobulations in 11 cases (73%), peripheral location in 10 cases (67%), and internal septations in four cases (27%). We concluded that (1) hemangiomas of the liver are frequently inhomogeneous on cut sections; (2) heterogeneity in T2 images is commonly seen and should not exclude hemangioma; and (3) other signs, such as sharp margins, lobulated contour, and peripheral location, may be helpful in the MR diagnosis of hemangioma of the liver.