Pancreatic hemangioma: Imaging features with contrast-enhanced CT and with gadolinium- and mangafodipir-enhanced MRI
Introduction
Hypervascular tumors such as hemangioma are frequently seen in the liver but appear very rarely in the pancreas [1]. To our knowledge up to now less than 10 cases have been reported in the literature [2], [3], [4], [5]. Pancreatic hemangiomas have been reported to be large, non-invasive and well enhancing tumors [3]. Ultrasound, CT and MRI features of hemangiomas have been described previously. In our case, we describe the MRI features of a hemangioma of the pancreatic head after IV application of gadolinium and of the liver- and pancreas-specific contrast agent mangafodipir.
Section snippets
Case report
A 36-year-old man was referred to our hospital for upper abdominal pain. Past medical history was not significant. Serological studies were normal except for slightly elevated gamma-GT (99 U/l), tumor markers were within normal range. Endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum revealed duodenal ulcer. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen showed a hypervascular 3 cm mass with large vessels in the pancreatic head (Fig. 1). In addition, a hypervascular lesion was found in segment II of the liver. A
Discussion
Non-epithelial tumors of the pancreas account for only 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms [1]. Among them, vascular tumors of the pancreas are even rarer, including hemangioma, lymphohemangioma, hemangioendothelioma, hemangiopericytoma, and angiosarcoma. Less than 10 cases of pancreatic hemangioma have been reported in the literature between 1966 and 2003 [2], [3], [4], [5]. The CT and plain MRI features of a very few cases have been reported in the literature [2], [3].
Pancreatic hemangiomas have
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Common and Uncommon Benign Pancreatic Lesions Mimicking Malignancy: Imaging Update and Review
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Pancreatic hemangioma mimicking a malignant pancreatic cyst
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2007, Journal de Radiologie