Thermal ablation of hepatic hemangioma: A multi-center experience with long-term outcomes

Thermal ablation, currently used extensively for liver tumors, also has been applied. successfully to hepatic hemangioma; however, it is still considered experimental because previous studies have comprised small sample sizes with short follow-up periods.

We aimed to investigate the effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcomes of thermal ablation for hepatic hemangioma.

From October 2011 to February 2021, the data of 357 patients with 378 hepatic hemangiomas treated by thermal ablation at six hospitals were analyzed in this retrospective study. The technical success, safety, and long-term follow-up results were analyzed.

A total of 252 patients (mean age, 49.2 ± 10.5 years) with 273 subcapsular hemangiomas underwent laparoscopic thermal ablation, whereas 105 patients with 105 hemangiomas located in the liver parenchyma underwent CT-guided percutaneous ablation. Of the 378 hepatic hemangiomas (5.0-21.2 cm), 369 lesions were subjected to one session of ablation, while 9 lesions were subjected to two sessions of ablation. Technical success was achieved in 100.0% of cases. Complete ablation was achieved in 361 of 378 hemangiomas (95.5%), while 17 hemangiomas (4.5%) were incompletely ablated, showing subtle enhancement at the peripheral rim. The major complication rate was 2.0% (7/357). The median follow-up period was 67 months (range, 12-124 months). Of the 224 patients with hemangioma-related symptoms, 216 demonstrated complete disappearance of symptoms (96.4%), while 8 were ameliorated (3.6%). Ablated lesion shrinkage was progressive, and 11.4% of hemangiomas almost completely disappeared over time (P < 0.01).

With a reasonable ablation strategy and comprehensive treatment measurements, thermal ablation could be a safe, feasible, and effective treatment option for hepatic hemangioma.