Sonographic appearances of hemangiomas of skeletal muscle

Abstract

The sonographic findings observed in seven patients with muscular hemangiomas were reviewed. An intramuscular mass (size range of 1.5 to 10 cm) was seen in all cases. Five lesions had oval shapes and smooth margins; two had irregular shapes and borders that were not clearly defined. Hyperechoic structure was noted in three lesions; two were hypoechoic; two had heterogeneous echo patterns. Three other muscular hemangiomas (two hyperechoic, one heterogeneous) are reported in the sonographic literature. Therefore, from the literature and from our own observations of hemangiomas, a hyperechogenic mass is the most common sonographic presentation of these tumors. However, there is not a specific sonographic appearance to muscular hemangiomas and other diagnostic tests are needed to establish the diagnosis.