Fine-needle biopsy of hepatic hemangioma with sonographic guidance.

Thirty-three focal hepatic lesions later proven to be hemangiomas underwent sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Indications for cytologic assessment were an atypical sonographic pattern in 11 cases, the need to differentiate from liver metastases in 12 patients with a history of neoplasm, and other indications in 10. The aspirated material consisted of blood alone in 24 cases; in the other nine cases, endothelial cells and/or agglomerates of capillaries were demonstrated also, and this was considered to be diagnostic. In one case, intratumoral bleeding was demonstrated sonographically, but no treatment was needed. The possible angiomatous nature of an hepatic lesion should not be considered an absolute contraindication to biopsy, provided that a fine needle is used and the optimal route to the lesion is chosen.