ISSN 2756-3812
International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-006, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals
Case Report
Intramuscular haemangiomas in the new born: a report of 2 cases showing physical and plain film radiographic findings with ultrasonographic correlation.
1Erondu Okechukwu Felix, 1Okoro Chinedum Richards, 2Ugwu Anthony Chukwuka, 3Aniemeka Joy Ifeanyi
1Department of clinical Imaging, Image Diagnostics, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2Department of Radiography, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3Department of Radiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt
Accepted 17 November, 2010
Abstract
Although intramuscular haemangiomas are relatively common benign soft tissue tumors, the classical appearances on plain film radiographs and ultrasonographic correlation have been scarcely reported, particularly in the new born. Diagnostic criteria on plain radiographs include presence of a lobulated appearance, heterogeneity, speculated areas, calcification and sparing of adjacent bony structures. Color Doppler ultrasound findings include lobulation, serpentine or tubular echo-free spaces, positive Doppler signals (peak arterial Doppler shift exceeding 2 KHz and evidence of vascularity. Whereas MRI and CT provide excellent and more reliable diagnostic information, plain film radiography and Doppler ultrasound, jointly provide an atraumatic, easy, cheap and available means of diagnosis with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Furthermore, since ultrasound can be performed on a first clinic visit, the success can be reassuring to the family, and obviate the need for more expensive cross-sectional imaging or biopsy requiring anaesthesia, both of which may be difficult when dealing with a newborn. We report 2 cases involving 2 and 4 month old female babies with intramuscular haemangioma of the lateral abdominis and upper extremity respectively.
Keywords. Intramuscular, haemangioma, newborn, plain film, ultrasonographic, Doppler.