Magnetic resonance imaging features varying by size in giant hemangioma of the liver

Abstract

Different definitions are used for giant liver hemangiomas. When liver hemangiomas are larger than 4 cm, they are called cavernous hemangiomas (CHs). 6cm or higher thresholds have also been suggested in the literature. Mastering the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that change as the size of CHs increases can prevent misdiagnoses. The aim of the study was to compare MRI features of CHs between 4-6cm and >6cm. The contrast-enhanced abdominal MRIs in the hospital image archiving system was retrospectively examined in the last two years. A total of 52 patients (39 females, 13 males) with CHs were detected by screening. MRI features of 30 patients in Group 1 (between 4-6cm) and 22 patients in Group 2 (>6cm) were analyzed and the two groups were compared in terms of imaging features. The presence of a central cleft-like area was found to be more in Group 2 (54.5%) than in Group 1 (6.7%) (p<0.001). Internal hemorrhage was not detected in Group 1, but it was seen in 3 (13.6%) patients in group 2 (p=0.07). The multiloculation-like appearance was significantly higher in Group 2 (86.4%) than in Group 1 (23.3%) (p<0.001). Delayed diffuse enhancement was observed at a rate of 30% in Group 1 patients, while it was not seen at all in Group 2 (p=0.007). In Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping, the incidence of the hypointense rim in the periphery of CH was significantly higher in Group 2 (90.9%) than in Group 1 (66.7%) (p=0.04). ADC value was higher in Group 1 (1.76±0.28) than Group 2 (1.55±0.24) (p=0.007).