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- Title
Size of lesion is not a criterion for resection during management of giant liver haemangioma.
- Authors
Terkivatan, T.; Vrijland, W. W.; den Hoed, P. T.; de Man, R. A.; Hussain, S. M.; Tilanus, H. W.; IJzermans, J. N. M.
- Abstract
Background: The unknown natural history and risk of complications of large haemangiomas may pose therapeutic dilemmas. The authors describe their experience with the management of giant haemangiomas. Methods: Patients with a giant haemangioma were identified by a survey of the hospital database. Forty-nine patients with a haemangioma of at least 4 cm in diameter presented between January 1990 and December 2000. Medical records were analysed retrospectively. Results: Eleven patients had surgical treatment and 38 were managed conservatively. The median diameter of the tumours was 8·0 cm in surgically treated patients and 6·0 cm in the group managed by observation. Surgery-related morbidity occurred in three patients, and abdominal complaints persisted in three of ten patients with a symptomatic lesion. During a median follow-up of 52 months, 12 non-operated patients had mild abdominal complaints, considered to be unrelated to the lesion. In these patients symptoms either diminished or became minimal during follow-up. Complications did not occur. Conclusion: Observation of giant haemangiomas can be performed safely. The authors advocate resection of cavernous liver haemangiomas only in patients with persistent severe symptoms.
- Subjects
PRECANCEROUS conditions; HEMANGIOMAS; LIVER tumors
- Publication
British Journal of Surgery, 2002, Vol 89, Issue 10, p1240
- ISSN
0007-1323
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2168.2002.02219.x