Giant Liver Hemangiomas: A Plea for Early Surgical Referral and Resection

Case Rep Surg. 2020 Jun 16:2020:5923787. doi: 10.1155/2020/5923787. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign hepatic tumor. Current guidelines recommend surveillance imaging and reserving surgical intervention for symptomatic patients with giant liver hemangiomas (>5 cm). We present the case of a patient with a rapidly enlarging giant hepatic hemangioma initially managed by surveillance. During her observation period, she developed weight loss, constipation, and pancytopenia concerning for Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome. Resection of the hemangioma was complicated by its large size (28.0 × 18.0 × 11.4 cm). Patients with rapidly growing giant liver hemangiomas, even when asymptomatic, should be promptly referred to specialized surgical centers for evaluation and management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports