Atypically Localised Hepatic Haemangioma as a Cause of Dyspeptic Syndrome

Overview

Introduction:
Haemangioma is a benign mesenchymal tumor growing from the endothehum of blood vessels. Most hepatic haemangiomas are asymptomatic while symptomatic haemangioma are usually manifested by non-specific pain dyspeptic syndrome, quite rarely also by hemorrhage, or icterus Symptomatic haemangiomas or large haemangiomas with fast growth, are indicated for surgical treatment.

Case report:
The authors present a 50-year-old patient with chronic dyspeptic condition and pressure pain in the epigastria. USG, CT, MR, CT angiography and EUS have all shown two lesiones (haemangioma of the left hepatic lobe, a tumor in the left subphrenic area of uncertain origin). We proposed an operational solution, and, surprisingly, the finding was a single haemangioma (2 parts – intra- and extraparenchymatous – connected by a vascular bridge). We then performed left lobectomy.

Discussion:
In the diagnosis of haemangioma, MR is a method of choice with high specificity and sensitivity. Why did not it yield the correct diagnosis? The structure, the signal and the type of postcontrast enhancement of the second lesion corresponded to a haemangioma, but the extraparenchymatous location and also the considerable remoteness from the liver invalidated this possibility before operation. Regarding to the differential diagnostics of the lesiones in the subphrenic area, which according to the imaging techniques are not related to the hepatic parenchyma, it is advisable to consider the possibility of the incidence of pedunculated hepatic haemangioma.

Key words:
dyspeptic syndrome – hepatic haemangioma – MR as a method of choice – case report