Splenic hemangiomas: contrast-enhanced sonographic findings

Algorithmic Approach to the Splenic Lesion Based on Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Splenic lesions are commonly discovered incidentally at imaging, without clinical signs or symptoms that may aid in diagnosis. As such, the differential diagnosis and subsequent management are based primarily on imaging characteristics. Much has been written about the myriad pathologic conditions that can occur in the spleen; however, there is little guidance on the approach to an incidental splenic mass. Applying an approach frequently used in imaging to the splenic mass-based on the number and consistency of lesions and refined by supplementary imaging features-allows formulation of a useful differential diagnosis. Solitary cystic masses include true cysts, pseudocysts, and parasitic cysts. When multiple cystic lesions are present, the differential diagnosis expands to include infectious lesions (abscess or microabscesses) and lymphangioma (a benign cystic neoplasm). Hemangioma is the most common solitary solid mass, although other vascular lesions (hamartoma, sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation) and nonvascular lesions (inflammatory pseudotumor, lymphoma) manifest as solitary and solid. When multiple solid masses are present, diffuse inflammatory disease (sarcoidosis), littoral cell angioma, and lymphoma should be considered. Malignancies, such as angiosarcoma or metastasis, can manifest as solitary or multiple and solid or cystic masses but are typically associated with symptoms or widespread primary malignancy. Careful assessment of the multimodality imaging characteristics of splenic lesions based on this approach aids the radiologist faced with the incidental splenic lesion. Online supplemental material is available for this article. Work of the U.S. Government published under an exclusive license with the RSNA.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the spleen, pancreas and gallbladder in children

Gray-scale and color/power Doppler ultrasound (US) are the first-line imaging modalities to evaluate the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas in children. The increasing use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a reliable and safe method to evaluate liver lesions in the pediatric population promises potential for imaging other internal organs. Although CEUS applications of the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas have been well described in adults, they have not been fully explored in children. In this manuscript, we present an overview of the applications of CEUS for normal variants and diseases affecting the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas. We highlight a variety of cases as examples of how CEUS can serve in the diagnosis and follow-up for such diseases in children. Our discussion includes specific examination techniques; presentation of the main imaging findings in various benign and malignant lesions of the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas in children; and acknowledgment of the limitations of CEUS for these organs.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Features of Focal Splenic Tuberculosis

Background

The aim of this study was to characterize the contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging features of focal splenic tuberculosis.

Material/Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging features of 22 patients with splenic TB confirmed by surgical histopathology or biopsy.

Results

Conventional US demonstrated that 15 of the 22 patients had a single lesion, while 7 had multiple lesions. The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 3.7 cm. Of the 22, 17 were detected with hypoecho and 5 were detected with complex echo by conventional US. Seven (7/22) were detected with blood flow signals by color Doppler flow image (CDFI). CUES demonstrated that 18 cases (81.8%, 18/22) began to enhance in the arterial phase, mostly followed by slow wash-out in the intermediate or late parenchymal phase, and 4 (18.2%, 4/22) presented with non-enhancement during all phases. The enhancement patterns were categorized into 4 types: Type I, homogeneous enhancement (2/22); Type II, rim-like enhancement (12/22); Type III, septation-like enhancement (4/22); and Type IV, non-enhancement (4/22).

Conclusions

CEUS showed that splenic TB lesions were enhanced in the arterial phase, followed by slow washed out or persistent enhancement in the intermediate and late parenchymal phases. The rim- or septation-like enhancement may be helpful for diagnosing splenic TB. The splenic lesions presenting round hypoecho by conventional US and complete non-enhancement by CEUS are highly suspicious of splenic TB.

Imaging findings of benign and malignant pediatric splenic lesions

Splenic lesions in children have a wide histological spectrum. The majority of pediatric splenic lesions are benign and detected incidentally, and the most common benign lesions are cysts, followed by hemangiomas and lymphatic malformations. Most of the splenic malignancies in children are secondary to leukemia or lymphoma. The purpose of this article is to describe the ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of benign and malignant splenic lesions in the pediatric age group.

Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differential Diagnosis of Focal Splenic Lesions

Purpose

To identify and validate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features for differentiating malignant from benign splenic lesions.

Patients and Methods

Splenic lesions in 123 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound (B-mode US) and CEUS were included in this study. Two radiologists evaluated the sonograms of B-mode and CEUS. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant imaging predictors for splenic malignant lesions. Two other radiologists independently reviewed B-mode and CEUS sonograms and diagnosed the lesions based on proposed criteria as 1) benign, 2) probably benign, 3) probably malignant or 4) malignant. The diagnostic efficiency between B-mode US and CEUS was compared.

Results

Common imaging findings of malignant lesions included hypoechoic, ill-defined margin, absence of cystic/necrotic portion, presence of splenomegaly on B-mode US, and hypoenhancement, rapid washout and presence of intralesional vessels on CEUS (P < 0.05). Among them, three independent features were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis: hypoechoic pattern, hypoenhancement pattern and intralesional vessels. When three of these findings were combined as a predictor for splenic malignant lesions, 22 (55.0%) of 40 malignant splenic lesions were identified with a specificity of 100%. The diagnostic performance of two readers using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.622 and 0.533, respectively, for B-mode US, which was significantly improved to 0.908 and 0.906 for CEUS (P < 0.001). The degree of other diagnostic efficiency and inter-reader agreement also increased with CEUS compared to B-mode US.

Conclusion

CEUS may provide more useful information than B-mode US and improve the diagnosis efficiency for distinguishing malignant from benign splenic lesions.

High-frequency ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of testicular capillary hemangioma: A case report

RATIONALE

Testicular capillary hemangioma (TCH) is a rare benign tumor of the testis. To the authors' knowledge, there is currently only a few literatures describing the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose TCH. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of benign tumors can avoid orchiectomy. A case of TCH evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound and CEUS is presented.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 21-year-old male presented with a right testicular mass during a routine physical examination, and was admitted to the authors' hospital for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

DIAGNOSES

Combined gray-scale, color Doppler ultrasonography, and CEUS did not exclude the possibility that the right testicular lesion may be a benign tumor. Combined with morphological and immunohistochemical staining results, a pathological diagnosis of TCH was considered.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent right orchiectomy under general anesthesia, which proceeded smoothly.

OUTCOMES

At the 12-month follow-up, the patient was completely asymptomatic and resumed all daily activities.

LESSONS

TCH is a rare benign tumor and lacks extensive previous data in imaging findings. If TCH can be diagnosed accurately before surgery, excessive or inappropriate treatment of benign lesions can be minimized, which will be beneficial to the physical and psychological health of patients.

The value of contrast-enhanced dynamic and diffusion-weighted MR imaging for distinguishing benign and malignant splenic masses

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of contrast-enhanced dynamic and diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging for differentiating malignant from benign splenic lesions.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 51 patients with 35 benign and 16 malignant focal splenic lesions. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced dynamic and DW MR imaging. Two radiologists evaluated the MR images in consensus. Significant imaging findings on univariate and multivariate analyses were identified and their diagnostic performance for predicting the malignant splenic lesion was analyzed. Using receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the optimal cut-off of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value corresponding to the maximal Youden's index (J) for differentiating the two groups was determined.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, low signal intensity (SI) on the arterial, portal and 3-min delayed-phase images, high or iso SI on the DW image, iso or low SI on the ADC map, the presence of diffusion restriction and arterial hypovascularity with a progressive enhancement pattern were more frequently observed (p < 0.05) in malignant splenic lesions. The ADC value was significantly lower for malignancy than for benignancy (0.78 ± 0.24 vs 1.16 ± 0.53 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1); p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off ADC value for differentiating the two groups was 0.995 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1). In multivariate analysis, findings that differentiated malignant from benign splenic lesions were low SI on the 3-min delayed-phase image [odds ratio (OR), 27.68; p = 0.006] and the presence of diffusion restriction (OR, 48.01; p = 0.002). When two of these criteria were combined, 12 (75.0%) of 16 malignant splenic masses were identified with a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSION

Contrast-enhanced dynamic and DW MR imaging may be helpful for differentiating malignant from benign splenic lesions. A low SI on the 3-min delayed phase and diffusion restriction are the most reliable findings for the differentiation of malignant from benign splenic lesions.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Dynamic and DW MR imaging help in distinguishing malignant from benign splenic lesions. A low SI on the 3-min delayed phase and diffusion restriction are the most reliable findings for the differentiation of malignant from benign splenic lesions.

Real-time contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging of focal splenic lesions

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the imaging features of focal splenic lesions (FSLs) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

METHODS

Thirty two patients with FSLs proved by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. CEUS was performed using intravenous bolus injection of 2.4 ml sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent and real time scanning. There were hemangioma (n=7), lymphoma (n=8), true cyst (n=3), infarction (n=4), hematolymphangioma (n=2), metastasis tumor (n=2), and one for each of the following entities extramedullary hemopoiesis, hamartoma, tuberculosis, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, inflammatory pseudotumor and myxofibrosarcoma.

RESULTS

Among 21 benign lesions, 4 infarctions and 3 cysts presented non-enhancement throughout CEUS scanning, and the other 14 lesions displayed various enhancement levels with 6 (42.9%) hyper-enhancement, 2 (14.3%) iso-enhancement and 6 (42.9%) hypo-enhancement in arterial phase and 11 (78.6%) hypo-enhancement, 1 (7.1%) iso-enhancement and 2 (14.3%) hyper-enhancement in late phase, respectively. The enhancement pattern included 9 (64.3%) homogeneous, 4 (28.6%) heterogeneous and 1 (7.1%) rim-like enhancement. As for the malignant FSLs, all the lesions became completely or extensively hypo-enhancement during the late phase no matter their vascularity during arterial phase.

CONCLUSIONS

The CEUS features reported in this series may enrich the knowledge for CEUS characterization of FSLs.

Focal splenic lesions: US findings

Ultrasound (US) imaging of the spleen was considered of little use in the past and was performed only to distinguish between cystic and solid lesions. However, in the last decade due to experience acquired and the introduction of second-generation contrast agents, this technique has been re-evaluated as contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) allows detection and characterization of most focal lesions of the spleen with a high sensitivity and a good specificity. Gray-scale US presents a low specificity in splenic infarctions with a high rate of false negative cases, whereas specificity reaches 100 %, if the examination is performed using US contrast agents. Gray-scale US can provide a correct diagnosis in simple cysts, whereas CEUS is useful when cystic lymphangioma is suspected. In the study of splenic lesions, the most important problem is to differentiate between angioma, hamartoma, lymphoma, and metastasis. CEUS reaches a good specificity in the differentiation of benign from malignant splenic lesions, as hypo-enhancement in the parenchymal phase is predictive of malignancy in 87 % of cases. In conclusion, Gray-scale US and particularly CEUS are at present widely indicated in the study of focal splenic lesions.