Giant hepatic hemangioma: a challenging diagnosis

Abstract

A 50-year-old man without medical history, complained about effort dyspnea with enlargement of the abdomen. Physical examination showed an enlarged liver reaching the right and the left iliac fossa with a collateral venous circulation. Biological exams were within normal ranges. Hepatitis B and C serologies were negative. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enlarged liver with a 36 cm in diameter. Multiple bilateral liver masses heterogenous with an enhancement after contrast intravenous injection were shown. The largest one was located in the left liver with 26 cm in diameter. A dense collateral venous circulation existed. A diagnostic percutaneous biopsy was made. Histopathological exam concluded to giant cavernous cavernoma. Since the surgery was risky especially hemorrhage, a percutaneous embolization for the largest mass was indicated.

Keywords

• giant hemangioma
• cavernous liver hemangiomas
• treatment