Radiology, Vol 121, 625-630, Copyright © 1976 by Radiological Society of North America
Arteriography of peripheral hemangiomas
DC Levin, DH Gordon and J McSweeney
Arteriography has proved useful in evaluation of 17 patients with
peripheral soft-tissue hemangiomas (15 benign, 2 malignant) by defining
their extent, degree of vascularity, and source of vascular supply and
allowing differentiation from arteriovenous malformations. In 11 cases (all
benign), moderate fine-caliber hypervascularity with some degree of
staining was seen. In 6 (4 benign, 2 malignant) there was marked
hypervascularity with coarse, irregular vessels. The coarse or fine
hypervascularity which characterizes most benign hemangiomas closely
resembles that seen in malignant soft-tissue tumors and may preclude
correct diagnosis by angiography alone. However, peripheral hemangiomas
frequently exhibit distinctive clinical features which when combined with
the arteriographic findings enable the radiologist to identify the lesion.
