Most patients with hepatic hemangiomas are asymptomatic. However, some may present with one or more clinical findings.
Reasons for the hemangioma becoming symptomatic:
(1) large size
(2) compression on an adjacent structure
(3) thrombosis with infarction
(4) rupture
Clinical findings:
(1) right upper quadrant pain or discomfort
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) early satiety and unintended weight loss
(4) dyspepsia or dysphagia
(5) right upper quadrant mass or hepatomegaly
(6) thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome)
(7) hemorrhage, typically after trauma but rarely spontaneous
If the clinical findings are significant then it may be necessary to resect the hemangioma.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
