Ultrasonography of hepatic cavernous haemangiomas

Cavernous haemangiomas, the most frequent benign tumours of the liver, are discussed by the authors in connection with 50 personal cases and surveillance of 35 solitary hyperechoic nodules less than 3 cm diam. without clinical or biological abnormalities. All the diagnostic images are reviewed but attention is focussed on ultrasound. All US patterns may be observed, but if the lesion is less than 3 cm, the echostructure is often hyperechoic and homogeneous. In view of their asymptomatic nature and the absence of risk of evolution for these small hyperechoic lesions, it appears legitimate to propose surveillance merely by US if there are no clinical symptoms and if liver function tests are normal.