Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (pyogenic granuloma): A case report and a review of imaging findings as reported in the literature.

INTRODUCTION

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (IVLCH) is a rare benign lesion with minimal published reports containing a description of its appearance at medical imaging. We present the ultrasound and MRI images of a histologically proven IVLCH and provide the first review of the imaging findings reported in the literature.

METHODS

The imaging findings of a case of IVLCH are presented. A PubMed search of English language articles was performed from 1966 to October 2016, and all relevant papers were reviewed. Imaging findings from those papers are summarised.

RESULTS

Key features on ultrasound are of a well-defined, usually hypoechoic, mass which is highly vascular. The host vein is usually apparent. MRI imaging usually shows T1 signal isointense to muscle and variable T2 signal, either isointense or of high signal relative to the vein. The lesions enhance with gadolinium.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma has distinctive ultrasound but less consistent MRI features although radiological diagnosis should usually be possible. Review of reported cases shows that a previously described gender bias is incorrect.