Abstract

Cavernous haemangioma is the most common benign tumour of the liver with an estimated prevalence of 5 –7 percent. The incidental finding of liver haemangiomas has increased considerably as many patients undergo modern imaging techniques. Although most of these lesions remain asymptomatic, they may be responsible for pain due to capsular stretch, partial infarction or pressure on surrounding tissues. More rarely, haemangiomas may rupture or be associated with Kasabach-Meritt syndrome.Strategies for the management of liver haemangioma have ranged from selective observation to a ariety of radiological and surgical interventions.There is general agreement that small asymptomatic lesions should be managed conservatively.Most surgeons advocate liver resection in giant (more than 4 cm)and symptomatic haemangiomas. Since 1989 26 patients (18 women and 8 men)have been cured operatively due to liver haemagioma.All patients underwent anatomical liver resections ranged from segmentectomy to right hemihepatectomy.Average weight of resected parenchyma was 415 g.Postoperative complications occurred in two patients (one had a pleural effusion and one a prolonged jaundice).During the postoperative follow up (66%questioner answer rate)abdominal symptoms didn ’t recur. We think that surgical resection may be a proper and save mode of treatment in giant liver haemagioma.