Retrospective analysis based on a clinical grading system for patients with hepatic hemangioma:A single center experience

BACKGROUND The optimal approach for managing hepatic hemangioma is controversial.AIM To evaluate a clinical grading system for management of hepatic hemangioma based on our 17-year of single institution experience.METHODS A clinical grading system was retrospectively applied to 1171 patients with hepatic hemangioma from January 2002 to December 2018.Patients were classified into four groups based on the clinical grading system and treatment:(1)Observation group with score<4(Obs score<4);(2)Surgical group with score<4(Sur score<4);(3)Observation group with score≥4(Obs score≥4);and(4)Surgical group with score≥4(Sur score≥4).The clinico-pathological index and outcomes were evaluated.RESULTS There were significantly fewer symptomatic patients in surgical groups(Sur score≥4 vs Obs score≥4,P<0.001;Sur score<4 vs Obs score<4,χ^(2)=8.60,P=0.004;Sur score≥4 vs Obs score<4,P<0.001).The patients in Sur score≥4 had a lower rate of in need for intervention and total patients with adverse event than in Obs score≥4(P<0.001;P<0.001).Nevertheless,there was no significant difference in need for intervention and total patients with adverse event between the Sur score<4 and Obs score<4(P>0.05;χ^(2)=1.68,P>0.05).CONCLUSION This clinical grading system appeared as a practical tool for hepatic hemangioma.Surgery can be suggested for patients with a score≥4.For those with<4,follow-up should be proposed.

Laparoscopic vs computerized tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm

AIM: To compare safety and therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency(RF) ablation vs computed tomography(CT)-guided RF ablation for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our sequential experience of treating 51 large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm in 51 patients by CT-guided or laparoscopic RF ablation due to either the presence of symptoms and/or the enlargement of hemangioma.Altogether, 24 hemangiomas were ablated via a CTguided percutaneous approach(CT-guided ablation group), and 27 hemangiomas were treated via a laparoscopic approach(laparoscopic ablation group).RESULTS: The mean diameter of the 51 hemangiomas was 9.6 ± 1.8 cm(range, 6.0-12.0 cm). There was nodifference in the diameter of hemangiomas between the two groups(P > 0.05). RF ablation was performed successfully in all patients. There was no difference in ablation times between groups(P > 0.05). There were 23 thoracic complications in 17 patients: 15(62.5%, 15/24) in the CT-guided ablation group and2(7.4%, 2/27) in the laparoscopic ablation group(P< 0.05). According to the Dindo-Clavien classification,two complications(pleural effusion and diaphragmatic rupture grade Ⅲ) were major in two patients. All others were minor(grade Ⅰ). Both major complications occurred in the CT-guided ablation group. The minor complications were treated successfully with conservative measures, and the two major complications underwent treatment by chest tube drainage and thoracoscopic surgery, respectively. Complete ablation was achieved in 91.7%(22/24) and 96.3%(26/27) in the CT-guided and the laparoscopic ablation groups,respectively(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic RF ablation therapy should be used as the first-line treatment option for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm.It avoids thermal injury to the diaphragm and reduces thoracic complications.

Spontaneous rupture of hepatic hemangiomas:A review of the literature

Hepatic hemangiomas are congenital vascular malformations,considered the most common benign mesenchymal hepatic tumors,composed of masses of blood vessels that are atypical or irregular in arrangement and size. Hepatic hemangiomas can be divided into two major groups:capillary hemangiomas and cavernous hemangiomas These tumors most frequently affect females (80%) and adults in their fourth and fifth decades of life. Most cases are asymptomatic although a few patients may present with a wide variety of clinical symptoms,with spontaneous or traumatic rupture being the most severe complication. In cases of spontaneous rupture,clinical manifestations consist of sudden abdominal pain,and anemia secondary to ahaemoperitoneum. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy can also occur. Haemodynamic instability and signs of hypovolemic shock appear in about one third of cases. As the size of the hemangioma increases,so does the chance of rupture. Imaging studies used in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas include ultrasonography,dynamic contrast-enchanced computed tomography scanning,magnetic resonance imaging,hepatic arteriography,digital subtraction angiography,and nuclear medicine studies. In most cases hepatic hemangiomas are asymptomatic and should be followed up by means of periodic radiological examination. Sur gery should be restricted to specific situations. Absolute indications for surgery are spontaneous or trau m atic rupture with hemoperitoneum,intratumoral blee ding and consumptive coagulopathy (Kassabach-Merrit syndrome). In a patient presenting with acute abdo minal pain due to unknown abdominal disease,sponta neous rupture of a hepatic tumor such as a hemangio ma should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis.

Hepatic hemangioma:What internists need to know

Hepatic hemangioma(HH)is the most common benign liver tumor and it is usually found incidentally during radiological studies.This tumor arises from a vascular malformation;however,the pathophysiology has not been clearly elucidated.Symptoms usually correlate with the size and location of the tumor.Less commonly the presence of a large HH may cause life-threatening conditions.The diagnosis can be established by the identification of HH hallmarks in several imaging studies.In patients that present with abdominal symptoms other etiologies should be excluded first before attributing HH as the cause.In asymptomatic patient’s treatment is not required and follow up is usually reserved for HH of more than 5 cm.Symptomatic patients can be managed surgically or with other non-surgical modalities such as transcatheter arterial embolization or radiofrequency ablation.Enucleation surgery has shown to have fewer complications as compared to hepatectomy or other surgical techniques.Progression of the tumor is seen in less than 40%.Hormone stimulation may play a role in HH growth;however,there are no contraindications for hormonal therapy in patients with HH due to the lack of concrete evidence.When clinicians encounter this condition,they should discern between observation and surgical or non-surgical management based on the clinical presentation.

Autologous transfusion with modified total hepatic vascular exclusion for extracapsular resection of giant hepatic cavernous hemangioma

BACKGROUND: This paper was to review the effects of intraoperative autologous transfusion during modified, normal-temperature, total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) for extracapsular resection of giant hepatic cavernous hemangioma. METHODS: The clinical data from 28 patients, who underwent hepatic resection requiring intraoperative autologous transfusion with the cell-saver apparatus, were analyzed retrospectively. The tumors in the 28 patients involved the proximal hepatic veins and inferior vena cava. The diameters of these hemangiomas ranged from 12x15 cm to 18-40 cm. All patients had varying degrees of THVE. ' RESULTS: The 28 patients with hemangioma received integrated resection and recovered. One patient had rupture of tumors resulting in massive hemorrhage of 6000 ml during liver resection; 4 patients had blood transfusions of 400-800 ml; the other 23 patients had no blood transfusion. Only 6 patients underwent the Pringle maneuver with resection. The other 22 patients underwent THVE during the liver resection. The interval of THVE was 5-30 minutes (mean 16 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative autologous transfusion during modified, normal-temperature THVE for extracapsular resection of huge hepatic cavernous hemangioma is feasible.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency(RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is superior to open procedures for hepatic hemangioma

Background:Laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH)has become increasingly popular for liver neoplasms,but its safety and effectiveness remain controversial.Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign liver neoplasm;the main approaches to hepatic hemangiomas include open hepatectomy(OH)and LH.In this study,we compared early outcomes between patients undergoing OH and those with LH.Methods:Patients underwent OH or LH in our hospital for hepatic hemangiomas between December 2013 and December 2017 were enrolled.All patients underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluations.The clinicopathological index and risk factors of hemangioma resection were assessed.Results:In total,41 patients underwent OH while 53 underwent LH.There was no significant difference in any preoperative clinical variables,including liver function,prothrombin time,or platelet count.Hepatic portal occlusion time and operative time were 39.74 vs.38.35 minutes(P=0.717)and 197.20 vs.203.68 minutes(P=0.652)in the OH and LH groups,respectively.No mortality nor significant perioperative complications were observed between the two groups.In LH group,two cases were converted to OH,one for an oversized tumor and the other for hemorrhage.Compared with OH patients,those with LH had less blood loss(361.69 vs.437.81 m L,P=0.024),shorter postoperative hospital stay(7.98 vs.11.07 days,P=0.001),and lower postoperative C-reactive protein(43.63 vs.58.21 mg/L,P=0.026).Conclusions:LH is superior to OH in terms of postoperative recovery and blood loss for selected patients with hepatic hemangioma.

History of the infantile hepatic hemangioma:From imaging to generating a differential diagnosis

We aim to provide an up-to-date summary of infantile hepatic hemangioma(IHH) and its misnomers and to dialectically present the differential diagnosis of these rare entities of the liver.Eligible peer-reviewed articles on hepatic infantile hemangiomas,published between 2000 and 2015,were reviewed for this study.IHH is the most common hepatic vascular tumor in children.Once a liver mass is identified in an infant,the differential diagnosis ranges from vascular malformations to benign and malignant tumors including mesenchymal hamartoma,hepatoblastoma,metastatic neuroblastoma,so careful physical examination,imaging studies,and,if indicated,tumor markers and biopsy,are of pivotal importance to ascertain the correct diagnosis.Despite the benign nature of IHHs,some of these lesions may demand medical and/or surgical intervention,especially for multiple and diffuse IHH.Complications can include hepatomegaly,hypothyroidism and cardiac failure.Therefore,a close follow-up is required until complete involution of the lesions.We propose an algorithm to guide the physicians towards the proper management of hepatic lesions.

Blunt abdominal injury with rupture of giant hepatic cavernous hemangioma and laceration of the spleen

A 41-year-old woman with blunt abdominal trauma due to a motor vehicle accident presented to our emergency department. The patient had a history of a giant hepatic cavernous hemangioma. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed for suspected intra-abdominal bleeding with abdominal compartment syndrome, and more than 4 liters of blood and blood clots were removed. An active bleeding laceration （5 cm） of a hepatic cavernous hemangioma was detected in segment III of the liver. The bleeding was controlled by sutures, Teflon patches and tamponade. The abdomen was closed temporarily using the vacuum-assisted method. Because of the presence of persistent fresh blood through abdominal drainage at a rate of 〉1 L/h, splenectomy was performed to control the bleeding again by sutures and Teflon patches. Finally, the abdomen was closed using a biologic mesh. The patient was discharged home 30 days after trauma. Bleeding of trauma-caused hepatic hemangioma is rare, but splenic injury due to blunt abdominal trauma is common. An in-depth investigation is necessary to avoid second intervention.

Minimally invasive treatment of hepatic hemangioma by transcatheter arterial embolization combined with microwave ablation:A case report

BACKGROUND Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver.However,patients with large hemangiomas that cause compression symptoms or that are at risk of rupture may need further intervention.It is necessary to explore additional minimally invasive and personalized treatment options for hemangiomas.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old woman was diagnosed with a right hepatic hemangioma for more than 10 years.Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)and contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed that there was a large hemangioma in the right liver,with a size of approximately 95 mm×97 mm×117 mm.Due to the patient's refusal of surgical treatment,hepatic artery embolization was performed in the first stage.After 25 d of liver protection treatment,the liver function indexes decreased to normal levels.Then,ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of the giant hepatic hemangioma was performed.Ten days after the treatment,hepatobiliary ultrasonography showed that the hemangioma of the right liver was smaller than the previous size(the volume was reduced by approximately 30%).Then the patient was discharged from the hospital.One year after discharge,CT showed that the hepatic hemangioma had shrunk by about 80%CONCLUSION Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with microwave ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for hepatic hemangioma.

A case of spontaneous hepatic hemangioma rupture:Successful management with transarterial chemoembolization alone

Hemangioma is the most common benign hepatic tumor.Although spontaneous rupture is rare,the mortality rate ranges from 60 to 75%.Only 34 cases have been reported in the literature,with only one report using transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE) alone as treatment.We report a case of spontaneous rupture with "flowering sign" of a giant hepatic hemangioma,presenting with acute abdominal pain and shock,while the volume of the hemangioma and blood loss were similar.The patient was successfully managed by transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) alone,which has an operative mortality rate of up to 36.4%.

Interventional treatments for hepatic hemangioma:A state-of-the-art review

Hepatic hemangiomas(HHs)are the most common benign tumors of the liver.These tumors are mainly asymptomatic and do not require treatment.Nevertheless,there are some special cases that require therapeutic intervention,and surgery and intervention are currently the primary treatment modalities.Despite significant advances in the development of minimally invasive techniques and their popularization,interventional treatment of HH is still the preferred choice.In the present review,we discuss the pathological properties,type of blood supply,and treatment indications for HH and assess the status and progress of the existing interventional treatments.

Role of SPECT/CT in diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas

AIM: To investigate the role of SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas whose anatomical positions are not ideal, situated adjacent to the heart, the inferior cava,hepatic vessels or abdominal aorta, etc.METHODS: The hepatic perfusion, blood pool, and fusion imaging were carried out using SPECT/CT in 54 patients,who were suspected for hepatic hemangiomas. When the anatomical positions were not ideal, the diagnosis was difficult by SPECT only. So the information of computed tomography (CT) was applied to help in diagnosing. The results were recorded as hemangiomas or not.RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 31 patients were diagnosed as suffering from hepatic hemangiomas. The anatomical positions of eight patients' hepatic hemangiomas (25.81%)were not ideal. Among these lesions of the eight patients,three patients' hepatic lesions were located near to the abdominal aorta, one to the heart, and four to the inferior cava. In addition, six abnormal radioactivity accumulation regions, adjacent to the heart and inferior cava, with the help of CT, were confirmed to be the imaging of inferior cava other than hepatic hemangiomas.CONCLUSION: When the anatomical positions of hepatic hemangiomas are not good enough for diagnosis, the fusion imaging of SPECT/CT is a simple and efficient method for differential diagnosis.

Choice between different operative techniques on cavernous hepatic hemangiomas

Objective： To investigate the optimizing of operative techniques on cavernous hepatic hemangioma by comparing the effective of the two approaches （enucleation and hepatectomy）. Methods： From May 1994 to September 2006, fortythree patients underwent the surgical removal of the cavernous hepatic hemangioma were analyzed retrospectJvely. Enucleation was used for 16 cases and hepatectomy for 27 cases. The relative clinical data and operative factors between the two operative techniques were compared. Results： Statistically significant differences in tumor size, location and intraoperative blood lose between the two groups were observed （P 〈 0.05 ）. Although enucleation was associated with less intraoperative bleeding and transfusion requirement but no significant differences in postoperative liver functional parameter, complication and length of hospital stay were observed. Conclusion： With proper choice, enucleation and hepatectomy both are effective treatments for cavernous hepatic hemangiomas.

HH胶囊体外抗乙型肝炎病毒的作用及其机制

目的:研究HH胶囊体外抗乙型肝炎病毒的作用及其对抗病毒蛋白2'5'-寡腺苷酸合成酶(2'5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase,2'5'-OAS)、RAN依赖蛋白激酶(RAN-dependent protein kinase,PKR)的影响.方法:HepG2.2.15是目前最常用的乙型肝炎病毒感染的体外实验模型,将细胞随机分为空白对照组、阳性对照组(3TC)、不同浓度的HH胶囊组.用CCK-8检测药物细胞毒性,酶联免疫法检测乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)和乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg);荧光定量聚合酶链反应法检测乙型肝炎病毒脱氧核糖核酸(HBVDNA);用Westernblot、荧光定量PCR方法分别检测细胞内抗病毒蛋白2'5'-OAS、PKR及其mRNA水平.结果:HH胶囊的TC50是2.11g/L、312.00mg/L、156.00mg/L、78.00mg/L、39.00mg/LHH胶囊均可以降低细胞外HBeAg(0.285±0.007,0.462±0.008,0.565±0.009,0.733±0.008vs1.334±0.007)和HbsAg(0.834±0.008,1.021±0.011,1.347±0.017,1.548±0.015vs2.593±0.008)水平,312.00mg/L、156.00mg/LHH胶囊均可以减低细胞内乙型肝炎病毒DNA[(3.423±0.110)×109copies/L,(3.640±0.082)×109copies/Lvs(6.857±0.060)×109copies/L]、细胞外乙型肝炎病毒DNA(6547±87、7710±62vs24300±200),312.00mg/LHH胶囊可以增加细胞内OASmRNA(0.885±0.038vs0.688±0.068)、PKRmRNA(0.139±0.06vs0.058±0.005)表达及其OAS、PKR蛋白水平.结论:HH胶囊具有良好的抗乙型肝炎病毒作用,推测可能与增加细胞内OAS、PKR及其mRNA水平有关.

HH方治疗HBV转基因小鼠抗病毒作用及其对TLR3／TLR4的影响

目的:观察HH方治疗乙肝病毒(HBV)转基因小鼠抗HBV的疗效及其作用机制。方法:HBV转基因小鼠随机分4组,模型组小鼠给予同体积生理盐水,苦参素组小鼠给予同体积含0.15 g/(kg·d)苦参素混悬液,高、低剂量HH方组小鼠分别给予同体积含7、2 g/(kg·d)HH混悬液。5周后,ELISA法检测血清及肝组织乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBs Ag),常规HE染色观察肝组织病理变化,定量PCR法检测血清中乙型肝炎病毒脱氧核糖核酸(HBVDNA)及肝组织中HBVDNA、Toll样受体(TLR)3/4 mRNA,Western blot法检测TLR3/4蛋白表达。结果 :高剂量HH方[7 g/(kg·d)]可以减轻肝细胞轻度脂肪变性、肝细胞轻度水肿及Kuffer细胞增生等病理改变,对肝组织炎细胞浸润未见明显缓解。高剂量HH方可以显著降低HBV转基因小鼠肝脏和血清中的HBs Ag、HBVDNA水平,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),与苦参素组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。高剂量HH方可以显著增强肝组织TLR3、TLR4的mRNA及蛋白表达,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:高剂量HH方有一定抗HBV作用,推测与增强TLR3、TLR4表达进而影响干扰素分泌有关。

Successful liver resection in a giant hemangioma with intestinal obstruction after embolization

Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of the liver.Most hepatic hemangiomas remain asymptomatic and require no treatment.Giant hepatic hemangiomas with established complications,diagnostic uncertainty and incapacitating symptoms,however,are generally considered an absolute indication for surgical resection.We present a case of a giant hemangioma with intestinal obstruction following transcatheter arterial embolization,by which the volume of the hemangioma was significantly reduced,and it was completely resected by a left hepatectomy.A 21-yearold Asian man visited our hospital for left upper quadrant pain.Examinations at the first visit revealed a left liver hemangioma occupying the abdominal cavity,with a maximum diameter of 31.5 cm.Embolization of the left hepatic artery was performed and confirmed a decrease in its size.However,the patient was readmitted to our hospital one month after embolization for intestinal obstruction.A left hepatectomy was completed through a herringbone incision,and safely removed a giant hemangioma of 26.5 cm × 19.5 cm × 12.0 cm in size and 3690 g in weight.Pre-operative arterial embolization is effective for reducing tumor size,but a close follow-up to decide the time for hepatectomy is important.

Collagenous nodule mixed simple cyst and hemangioma coexistence in the liver

A 20-year-old female patient presented with two masses located in the left liver.In this patient, a computed tomography(CT) scan revealed a hypodense mass and a second well-defined mass with a calcified nodule in the left hepatic lobe.No enhancements were apparent in or around the masses.A laparotomy was performed due to the patient's symptoms, namely, the atypical CT findings and a risk of rupture of the subcapsular lesion.The operation revealed two masses in the left hepatic lobe and a left liver resection was subsequently performed.One of the masses involved segment Ⅲ and the other mass was located in segment Ⅳ.The histopathologic findings supported a diagnosis of collagenous nodule mixed simple cyst and hemangioma.A diagnosis of collagenous nodule mixed simple hepatic cyst is extremely rare and radiologically mimics a teratoma, hepatolithiasis, parasitic cyst, or hemangioma.Although hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors found in the liver, the present case showed atypical radiographic features.

Vascular anomalies associated with hepatic shunting

Congenital vascular anomalies affecting the liver have been described in the scientific literature for decades.Understanding these malformations begins with knowledge of hepatic vascular embryology.Surgeons have applied numerous classification systems to describe both intrahepatic and extrahepatic shunts,which can confuse the reader and clinician.In our experience,focusing on one classification system for extrahepatic shunts and one for intrahepatic shunts is better.Today many patients with these shunts carry good long-term prognosis thanks to advances in imaging to better detect shunts earlier and classify them.Timely intervention by skilled radiologists and surgeons have also limited complications arising from dynamic shunts and can avoid a liver transplant.Congenital hepatic shunts are not the only vascular condition affecting the liver.Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia,also known as Osler Weber Rendu syndrome,particularly type 2,may have varying severity of hepatic involvement which warrants longitudinal care from an experienced hepatologist.Lastly,congenital hemangiomas,often first identified on the skin and oral mucosa,also can affect the liver.While most will resolve in infancy and childhood,the pediatric hepatologist must understand how and when to treat persistent lesions and their complications.This article serves as a concise reference to help clinicians better care for patients with these rare conditions.

Reconsideration of the clinical management of hepatic hemangioma

In this letter,we comment on the article by Zhou et al that was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.This article proposes a new clinical grading system based on a multidisciplinary team,which prompts us to rethink the clinical management of hepatic hemangioma.Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign solid liver tumor.In general,follow-up and obser-vation for the vast majority of hepatic hemangioma is reasonable.For those pa-tients with symptoms and severe complications,surgical intervention is ne-cessary.Specific surgical indications,however,are still not clear.An effective grading system is helpful in further guiding the clinical management of hepatic hemangioma.In this article,we review the recent literature,summarize the sur-gical indications and treatment of hepatic hemangioma,and evaluate the potential of this new clinical grading system.