Ultrasound imaging as an initial diagnostic method for intramuscular hemangiomas: a narrative review

Intramuscular hemangiomas are benign vascular lesions, often misdiagnosed due to unfamiliarity. They are rare (but not very rare) causes of musculoskeletal pain, and diagnosing these tumors may be challenging because of their pertinent nonspecific symptomatology. Herein, as a convenient imaging tool, ultrasound examination appears to be an important initial method to scan for these lesions after the clinical examination. To date, there are no studies that examined the state-of-the-art in regard to the use of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of intramuscular hemangiomas. Accordingly, a literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science with the purpose to provide a conceptual understanding and awareness as regards the importance/utility of ultrasound imaging as a first step diagnostic tool for intramuscular hemangiomas at different muscles’ locations.