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Hepatic hemangioma

Liver hemangioma; Hemangioma of the liver; Cavernous hepatic hemangioma; Infantile hemangioendothelioma; Multinodular hepatic hemangiomatosis

 

A hepatic hemangioma is a liver tumor made of widened (dilated) blood vessels. It is not cancerous.

Causes

 

A hepatic hemangioma is the most common type of liver tumor that is not caused by cancer. It may be a birth defect.

Hepatic hemangiomas can occur at any time. They are most common in people in their 30s to 50s. Women get these tumors more often than men, and the tumors are often bigger.

Babies may develop a type of hepatic hemangioma called benign infantile hemangioendothelioma. This is also called multinodular hepatic hemangiomatosis. This is a rare, noncancerous tumor that has been linked to high rates of heart failure and death in infants. Infants are most often diagnosed by the time they are 6 months old.

 

Symptoms

 

Some hemangiomas may cause bleeding or interfere with organ function. Most do not produce symptoms. In rare cases, the hemangioma may rupture.

 

Exams and Tests

 

In most cases, hepatic hemangioma is not found until medical pictures are taken of the liver for some other reason. If the hemangioma ruptures, the only sign may be an enlarged liver.

Babies with benign infantile hemangioendothelioma may have:

  • A growth in the abdomen
  • Anemia
  • Signs of heart failure

The following tests may be performed:

  • Blood tests
  • CT scan of the liver
  • Hepatic angiogram
  • MRI
  • Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
  • Ultrasound of the abdomen

 

Treatment

 

Most of these tumors are treated only if there is ongoing 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
  • Medicines for heart failure
  • Surgery to remove the tumor

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Surgery can cure a tumor in an infant if it is only in one lobe of the liver. Surgery can be done even if the child has heart failure.

 

Possible Complications

 

Pregnancy and estrogen-based medicines can cause these tumors to grow.

 

 

References

Stehr W, Guzzetta PC. Nonmalignant tumors of the liver. In: Boyer TD, Manns MP, Sanyal AJ eds. Zakim & Boyer's Hepatology: A Textbook of Liver Disease . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 32.

Trenor CC, Greene AK. Vascular tumors in childhood. In: Cronenwett JL, Johnston W, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 70.

 
  • Hemangioma - angiogram - illustration

    This angiogram (an X-ray taken after dye has been injected into the blood stream) shows a mass of blood vessels (hemangioma) in the liver.

    Hemangioma - angiogram

    illustration

  • Hemangioma - CT scan - illustration

    This upper abdominal CT scan shows a blood vessel tumor (hemangioma) in the liver.

    Hemangioma - CT scan

    illustration

  • Digestive system organs - illustration

    The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

    Digestive system organs

    illustration

    • Hemangioma - angiogram - illustration

      This angiogram (an X-ray taken after dye has been injected into the blood stream) shows a mass of blood vessels (hemangioma) in the liver.

      Hemangioma - angiogram

      illustration

    • Hemangioma - CT scan - illustration

      This upper abdominal CT scan shows a blood vessel tumor (hemangioma) in the liver.

      Hemangioma - CT scan

      illustration

    • Digestive system organs - illustration

      The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

      Digestive system organs

      illustration

    Tests for Hepatic hemangioma

     

       

      Review Date: 4/20/2015

      Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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