[Value of enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of adrenal hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the computed tomography (CT) findings of adrenal hemangioma. METHOD: The CT findings of 9 patients with pathologically proved adrenal hemangioma from June 2008 to March 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All the tumors were located unilaterally, with 4 in the left and 5 in the right. The tumors were 1.5-8.4 cm in size with complete capsule and well-defined contour. Among these nine tumors, six were round or ovoid, while the other three had irregular shapes. Plain scan showed mixed density in 8 and cystic change in 1. After contrast enhancement, six tumors manifested with inhomogeneous enhancement and the other three without enhancement. For three cases who underwent multi-phase enhanced CT scans, irregular enhancement at the periphery of the masses were showed in artery phase, and centripetal filling with contrast medium to the center of masses were showed in the portal and delayed phases. CONCLUSIONS: Hemangioma is a rare benign tumor of the adrenal gland. CT findings are diverse, and the preoperative misdiagnosing rate can be high. Multi-phase enhanced CT scan may show characteristic features of adrenal hemangioma and help achieve correct preoperative diagnosis.