Imaging features and atypical signs of symptomatic vertebral haemangioma: a retrospective single-centre analysis of 118 patients.

OBJECTIVES

Symptomatic vertebral haemangioma (SVH) can present with atypical imaging features. Thus, this study analysed the imaging features of SVH using CT and MRI to improve SVH awareness.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed CT and MRI characteristics of 118 patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed SVH.

RESULTS

Overall, 118 patients were diagnosed with SVH, including 79 females and 39 males (mean age, 45.76 ± 16.36 years). The thoracic spine (n = 86) was the most common location of SVH, followed by the lumbar spine (n = 17). Involvement of multiple spinal segments was observed in 15 patients (12.71%). A total of 101 lesions (85.59%) were centred in the vertebral body, 15 lesions (12.71%) were centred in the posterior attachment, and two lesions (2%) were centred in the paraspinal region. CT showed 39 lesions (33.05%) without a typical honeycomb or polka-dot pattern. Compression fracture was observed in 23 patients (19.49%). Extraosseous extension was present in 111 patients (94.1%), and 17 lesions (14.41%) presented with foraminal extension. Epidural bony compression was observed in 46 patients (38.98%). 20 lesions (16.95%) had atypical T2 weighted MRI signals, and 8 lesions (10.26%) showed atypical enhancement.

CONCLUSION

SVH was predominantly located in the thoracic spine. Involvement of multiple segments, posterior attachment localisation, absence of honeycomb or polka-dot signs, compression fracture, and atypical T2 weighted imaging signals and enhancement were uncommon. Epidural bony compression was not uncommon and has important clinical significance.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The imaging features of SVHs are not fully understood. We examined the largest series of SVH cases reported to date.