Prenatal Diagnosis of Hepatic Hemangioma

Abstract

We report the prenatal diagnosis of a hepatic hemangioma presenting as a heterogeneous mass (6 × 5 cm) of the fetal liver, thickly septated with calcifications. Pulsed Doppler confirmed the vascular pattern of the mass. Subsequent postnatal examinations and follow-up have documented the spontaneous regression of this benign tumor. Antenatal diagnosis of fetal liver masses and management after delivery are discussed.

Hepatic haemangioma—prenatal imaging findings, complications and perinatal outcome in a case series

“…In his review article concerning foetal and neonatal hepatic tumours, Isaacs [3] reported that 33 of the 117 hemangiomas encountered were prenatally diagnosed, including 26 focal tumours, but detailed references are not available. We have included the 19 reported cases that appeared to be fully documented in Table 3 [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Most, as found in our series, were detected during the third trimester of pregnancy, but Figs.…”

“…The inclusion criteria were the presence of a hepatic mass diagnosed as HH by prenatal imaging (US or MRI) and confirmed by postnatal imaging and typical evolution (15), or at post-mortem (2). As described on postnatal exams, the US aspect suggestive of HH was that of a focal or multifocal hepatic mass with multiple internal vessels associated with a large hepatic artery and/or enlargement of one or more hepatic veins.…”

“…As described on postnatal exams, the US aspect suggestive of HH was that of a focal or multifocal hepatic mass with multiple internal vessels associated with a large hepatic artery and/or enlargement of one or more hepatic veins. On MRI we expected the tumours to be hyperintense compared to liver on T2-W sequences and hypointense on T1-W sequences [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…Specific perinatal management may be required when foetuses present complications. There have been very few reports about foetal HH and no series has been large enough to evaluate prognostic factors and management [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Giant Fetal Hepatic Hemangioma

“…At the time of hydrops progression, tumor sizes range in maximal diameter from 4 to 12 cm from the cases included in the table. On the other hand, two fetuses with large masses of 6 and 8 cm in maximal diameter did not present with any signs of hydrops [10,11]. Neither the size nor the total enlargement or the side of the affected liver lobe or the gestational age was significant for hydrops development.…”