Mass Enhancement — Homogeneous
Homogeneous internal enhancement indicates confluent, uniform enhancement throughout the mass.
Definition
There is confluent uniform enhancement of the mass — the entire internal volume enhances evenly without regions of differing signal.
Imaging Appearance
- Uniform, even enhancement signal intensity throughout the mass on early post-contrast T1W
- No dark septations, no areas of non-enhancement, no areas of varying intensity
- Appears as a solid, evenly enhancing structure
Suspicion Level
Not independently discriminating — both benign and malignant masses can be homogeneous. Context of shape and margin is critical.
Examples from Source
- Irregular + spiculated + homogeneous → IDC (malignant)
- Lobulated + circumscribed + homogeneous → Fibroadenoma (benign)
Role in Benign Combination Rule
Board Pearl
Homogeneous enhancement is one of the four benign-favoring features. Combined with oval shape + circumscribed margin + T2 hyperintensity, the mass has ≤ 2% malignancy risk.
Homogeneous enhancement alone does NOT confer benignity — it depends on the companion features.