Hepatic Hemangioma in a Cluster of Iranian Population

Hemangioma is the most common benign lesion of the liver. It is mostly asymptomatic and may be found incidentally during cross-sectional liver or abdominal imaging. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of hepatic hemangioma in an Iranian population.

This retrospective study was conducted between July and November 2017 in Firoozgar Hospital affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The study population consisted of adult patients (>18 years) referred for transabdominal ultrasonography to ultrasound unit of the hospital.

Totally, 1985 patients were included in the study. There were 1282 women (64.5%) and 703 men (35.4%). A total of 47 hemangiomas were found in 41 patients. The prevalence of hemangioma was 2.04% in our study population. Four patients had more than one hemangioma; all of them were women. Twelve men (1.70%) versus 29 women (2.26%) found to have hemangioma. The mean age of patients with hemangioma was 47.65 ± 14.84 years. Thirty-four patients (82.9%) had hemangioma in their right lobe of the liver whereas seven patients (17.1%) had hemangioma in the left lobe of the liver. The mean diameter of hemangioma was 16.70 ± 8.42 mm. The mean diameter of hemangioma in women was 17.2 ± 9.33 mm and in men was 15.25 ± 4.91 mm (P = 0.495).

Hepatic hemangioma is prevalent in the Iranian population. It is more prevalent among women and in the VII segment of the liver.