MR of pulmonary hamartoma: pathologic correlation

J Thorac Imaging. 1994 Winter;9(1):51-5.

Abstract

We describe the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance with pathologic correlation of six pulmonary hamartomas. All six tumors showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Four of the six tumors showed a lobulated appearance separated by septa on precontrast T1-weighted or T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images showed marked enhancement of the septa that separated the tumors into less well enhanced lobules; this was seen in all six tumors. Comparison between MR images and pathologic specimens showed that the regions with less enhancement corresponded to core cartilaginous tissue and septa; areas of marked contrast enhancement corresponded to cleft-like branching mesenchymal connective tissue that dipped into the cartilaginous core. MR images correlated well with the surgically resected tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hamartoma / diagnosis*
  • Hamartoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies