Dandan Zhang1, Junmei Wang1. 1. Department of Ultrasonography, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the application of medical imaging in diagnosis and management of fetal hepatic hemangioma. METHODS: Clinical data and imaging findings of 14 cases of fetal hepatic hemangioma, who were diagnosed prenatally and followed up in Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2014 to September 2018 were retrospective reviewed. RESULTS: The fetal hepatic hemangiomas were single lesions in all 14 cases, and most of them were located in the right lobe of the liver (13/14). Ultrasound images were mainly hypoechoic with heterogeneity, the honeycomb-like or grid-like anechoic regions were presented in 9 lesions and circumferential blood flow was observed with low to moderate blood flow resistance index. MRI findings showed well-defined lesions with low signal intensity on T1WI, and high or slightly high signal intensity on T2WI. Among 14 cases, there were 8 cases of induced labor and 6 cases of continuing pregnancy. In 6 cases of successful delivery, 2 were treated with propranolol, 4 cases were followed-up without treatment. The growth and development of 6 children were normal. The lesions of hepatic hemangioma showed no significant changes in 3 children and were reduced in the other 3 children, of whom the lesion was complete disappeared in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal hepatic hemangiomas present relatively typical imaging characteristics, and prenatal diagnosis can be made with ultrasound and MRI. If there are no complications, the fetus with hepatic hemangioma can be delivered at full term with a good outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To review the application of medical imaging in diagnosis and management of fetal hepatic hemangioma. METHODS: Clinical data and imaging findings of 14 cases of fetal hepatic hemangioma, who were diagnosed prenatally and followed up in Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2014 to September 2018 were retrospective reviewed. RESULTS: The fetal hepatic hemangiomas were single lesions in all 14 cases, and most of them were located in the right lobe of the liver (13/14). Ultrasound images were mainly hypoechoic with heterogeneity, the honeycomb-like or grid-like anechoic regions were presented in 9 lesions and circumferential blood flow was observed with low to moderate blood flow resistance index. MRI findings showed well-defined lesions with low signal intensity on T1WI, and high or slightly high signal intensity on T2WI. Among 14 cases, there were 8 cases of induced labor and 6 cases of continuing pregnancy. In 6 cases of successful delivery, 2 were treated with propranolol, 4 cases were followed-up without treatment. The growth and development of 6 children were normal. The lesions of hepatic hemangioma showed no significant changes in 3 children and were reduced in the other 3 children, of whom the lesion was complete disappeared in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal hepatic hemangiomas present relatively typical imaging characteristics, and prenatal diagnosis can be made with ultrasound and MRI. If there are no complications, the fetus with hepatic hemangioma can be delivered at full term with a good outcome.