Presentation
Elevated liver enzymes on routine blood work.
Patient Data
Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.
A subtle 1.5 cm diameter area of mild hyperechogenicity in the right lobe of the liver. Blood flow is seen in this area on the color Doppler image.
The 1.5 cm lesion seen on ultrasound is of low density on the unenhanced CT image, shows nodular peripheral enhancement during the arterial phase, and fills in completely by the portal phase.
Case Discussion
Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of the liver occurring most frequently in women. There is no age predilection. A small percentage presents with calcifications. Peripheral enhancement with centripetal fill-in is classic for hemangioma but may be seen in other tumors.
To conclude that a lesion is a hemangioma on CT, the enhancement must be equal to or greater than that of the aorta, persist with delayed images (enhancement was seen at 10 minutes delay on this study) and show peripheral globular enhancement. MRI is frequently being used to diagnose hemangiomas as signal characteristics can be used in addition to enhancement pattern.
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