Hepatic hemangioma
Hepatic hemangioma | |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.
Overview
A hepatic hemangioma is a noncancerous liver tumor made of widened (dilated) blood vessels and is the most common primary liver tumor.
Pathophysiology
- Arise from the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels and consists of multiple, large vascular channels lined by a single layer of endothelial cells and supported by collagenous walls.
- They may be associated with focal nodular hyperplasia.
- May be associated with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: Hemolytic anemia and consumptive coagulopathy
Epidemiology and Demographics
Incidence
The incidence ranges from 0.4-20% of the population.
Age
Hepatic hemangiomas can occur at any time, but are most common in people in their 30s - 50s.
Gender
Women are affected more often than men (5:1), and usually have bigger tumors than men.
Natural History, Complications, Prognosis
In rare cases, a cavernous hemangioma may rupture.
Diagnosis
They are frequently asymptomatic and incidentally discovered at imaging, surgery, or autopsy. Hepatic hemangioma is usually not discovered until medical pictures are taken of the liver for some other reason. If a cavernous hemangioma ruptures, the only sign may be an enlarged liver.
Physical Examination
Babies with benign infantile hemangioendothelioma may have:
Cardiac
- Signs of heart failure
Abdomen
Laboratory Findings
Ultrasonography
- Echogenic
- Homogenous
Computed Tomography
- Noncontrast: Hypointense to liver
- Portal venous enhancement: Peripheral nodular enhancement
- Delayed enhancement: Lesion fills in the contrast
MRI
- T2 hyperintense
- Portal venous enhancement: Peripheral nodular enhancement
- Delayed enhancement: Lesion fills in the contrast
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T2 FrFSE
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T1
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T1 post Gad
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T1 post Gad
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T1 post Gad
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T1 post Gad coronal
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Treatment
Most cavernous hepatic hemangiomas are treated only if there is persistent pain.
Treatment for infantile hemangioendothelioma depends on the child's growth and development. The following treatments may be needed:
- Inserting a material in a blood vessel of the liver to block it (embolization)
- Tying off (ligation) a liver artery
- Medications for heart failure
- Surgery to remove the tumor
Related Chapters
References & Additional Resources
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