Cavernous liver hemangioma complicated with spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

Hemangiomas, the most common benign tumors of the liver, have a prevalence of approximately 20% and are more frequent in women. According to previous studies, the size and location of the tumor are correlated with the appearance of symptoms and complications. Cases of hemangiomas complicated by spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage have been rarely reported in the literature. Here, we report the case of a 70-year-old woman admitted for persistent upper abdominal pain. The patient showed signs of anemia, inflammatory markers and a transient increase in creatinine levels, which were corrected by conservative treatment. Our patient denied the previous use of estrogen derivatives, smoking or alcohol consumption. Native computed tomography identified a liver mass measuring 73×63 mm, located in segment IV and bulging out of the anterior contour of the liver. The mass was surgically removed by hepatic segmentectomy, and histopathological examination identified a cavernous hemangioma complicated by intratumoral hemorrhage. The postoperative outcome was favorable. After a literature review, we identified 19 other cases of hepatic cavernous hemangioma complicated by intratumoral hemorrhage reported worldwide.