Clinical and Pathological Features of Congenital Hepatic Hemangioma in Children: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objective: We reviewed our experience with congenital hepatic hemangiomas (CHH) to assess the effectiveness of our treatment strategies. Methods: Clinical and pathologic features of children with CHH were reviewed. Results: Twenty-two cases of CHH were collected, 17 were resected and 5 were followed until resolution. In 17 with alpha-feto-protein (AFP) levels, 9 were elevated with 5 decreasing to normal before surgery. In six with tumors under 3 cm, five regressed between 1 and 13 months, one required removal 5 years after initial diagnosis. Postoperative histopathology of 17 cases showed abnormal vascular hyperplasia without lobular architecture. CD34 was expressed in all tumors, glucose transporter 1(Glut1) was negative. Conclusion: If the tumor is less than 3 cm, AFP is normal and there are no obvious complications, the lesion can be followed with regular assessment imaging. Surgical resection is an option in tumors less than 3 cm which have not regressed over time.

Keywords:

• Congenital hepatic hemangioma
• Glut1
• abnormal vascular proliferation

Acknowledgments

We thank Tai-Qin Zheng G and Zhi-Wen Tan for their support of the hematoxylin & eosin and immunohistochemical techniques in the manuscript.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.