Hamartoma CT

CT scan is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of hamartoma. On CT scan, hamartoma is characterized by focal collections of fat, a lesion with a smooth edge, and collections of fat alternating with foci of calcification.

Chest CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma. Findings on CT scan suggestive of hamartoma include:^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

• Isodense or hypodense solid masses
• Heterogeneous contrast enhancement relative to adjacent normal parenchyma
• Presence of fat in a well circumscribed solitary pulmonary nodule which does not demonstrate significant growth
• The fat components may be localized or generalized within the nodule and will typically have a Hounsfield measurement of -40 to -120 HU
• Calcification is typically dispersed in the form of multiple lumps throughout the lesion in a popcorn configuration

Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of splenic hamartoma. Findings on abdominal CT scan suggestive of splenic hamartoma include:^[7]

• Isodense or hypodense solid masses

• Heterogeneous contrast enhancement relative to adjacent normal parenchyma

Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of renal hamartoma. Findings on abdominal CT scan suggestive of renal hamartoma include:^[7][8]

• Lesions involve the cortex and demonstrate macroscopic fat (less than -20 HU)
• Small renal hamartomas volume averaging may make differentiation from a small cyst difficult
• Renal hamartomas are fat-poor
• Calcification is rare

Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma. Findings on head CT scan suggestive of hypothalamic hamartoma include:^[9][10][11]

• Iso-attenuating nodule of soft-tissue
• Calcification is rare
• There is no contrast enhancement

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