Combined modes of imaging for liver hemangioma in cancer patients

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with single or multiple liver hemangioma were assessed with more than one mode of imaging. Static scanning with 99Tcm was done in 21, ultrasonography in 28, CT in 29 and angiography in 27. Fine-needle percutaneous biopsy was unwisely performed in 7 cases with a single but singular complication, severe peritoneal lymphorrhea. Four laparotomies and 2 laparoscopies completed the investigations. Fourteen patients had a history of primary cancer, and 3 of these had a secondary coexisting with the angioma. CT was characteristic; ultrasonography was sensitive and perhaps specific enough for small angiomas. The 2 combined plus angio-CT greatly reduce the need for hepatic angiography.