Hepatic cavernous hemangioma: magnetic resonance imaging. Work in progress.

Abstract

Using a 0.35-T [tesla] superconducting magnet and spin echo imaging, 11 patients who had proved hepatic cavernous hemangioma were prospectively evaluated. Magnetic resonance (MR) identified more lesions than either contrast-enhanced CT [computed tomography], or ultrasonography, or selective hepatic arteriography. The MR appearance was consistent; hemangiomas were homogenous and generally isointense at short TR and TE intervals but were hyperintense at long TR intervals and greatly hyperintense at long TR and long TE intervals. However, the MR appearance of hemangioma was not specific; 2/14 other focal hepatic masses had similar features. The calculated relaxation times (T1, T2) were not useful in lesion characterization, although the intensity ratio of hemangioma to normal liver at the TR = 2.0 s TE = 56 ms pulse sequence was useful in diagnosis since hemangiomas always had a ratio > 1.4.