Hamartoma CT

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

Overview

CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of hamartoma. Findings on CT scan suggestive of hamartoma include smooth edge, focal collections of fat, or collections of fat alternating with foci of calcification.

CT

• On computed tomography, common findings of pulmonary hamartoma, include:

• Hamartomas appear as isodense or hypodense solid masses.
• Lesions demonstrate heterogeneous contrast enhancement relative to adjacent normal parenchyma.
• Presence of fat in a well circumscribed solitary pulmonary nodule which does not demonstrate significant growth is essentially pathognomonic of a pulmonary hamartoma.
• The fat components may be localized or generalized within the nodule.
• Calcification is typically dispersed in the form of multiple clumps throughout the lesion in a popcorn configuration.
• The reported prevalence of calcification in hamartomas on CT varies from 5 to 50% while fat may be identified in up to 60% of hamartomas at CT.
• Fat can be recognised by comparing it to subcutaneous fat, and will typically have a Haunsfield measurement of -40 to -120 HU.
• Fat can only be identified in 60% of lesions.
• Thin section CT is therefore essential to avoid missing small foci of fat.

Gallery

• 
  CT scan (CT) shows a well circumcised lesion, with intralesional fat and calcification "popcorn-like appearance" adjacent to the hilum.
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  CT scan (CT) shows an isodense solid mass in the inferior pole of the spleen.