[Monstrous venous hemangioma of the retroperitoneum. Problems in diagnosis]

The venous haemangioma is defined as a benign tumor consisting of vein-like vessels. The preoperative diagnosis and its inherent problems are illustrated by a coincidentally diagnosed monstrous haemangioma of the retroperitoneal space in a twenty year old patient. With respect to our patient, X-ray, computed tomography and angiography all failed as diagnostic tools. Only the use of Doppler-sonographic flow signals suggested the presence of an haemangioma. The morphology, prognosis and clinical significance of blood vessel tumors are manifold. The most important differential diagnoses of venous haemangioma are the cavernous and the capilliary haemangioma. The venous haemangioma distinguishes itself through the presence of blood vessel walls. Haemangiomas are common benign tumors. They can grow to monstrous proportions whilst remaining undetected. Thus the patient is endangered of bleeding to death because of trivial injuries. The therapy of choice consists in total surgical excision. In unclear clinical situations with respect to preoperative diagnosis especially amongst young adults, the diagnosis of an hemangioma should be taken into amount.