Natural History of Hepatic Hemangiomas Larger Than 10 cm: Imaging Findings and Clinical Course of 22 Cases

The natural history of a large hepatic hemangioma is important in determining the treatment strategy. Although several studies have assessed the natural history of hepatic hemangiomas, no study has focused on hepatic hemangiomas measuring >10 cm. The aim of this study was to assess the natural history of hepatic hemangiomas measuring >10 cm by evaluating imaging findings and clinical course.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports at Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan, between January 2001 and March 2023 were retrospectively searched to find adult patients with hepatic hemangiomas >10 cm. Patients who were followed up without treatment for over six months were included. The maximum diameter of the hepatic hemangioma was compared between the baseline and the final CT or MRI. The clinical course of the patients was evaluated.

Twenty-two patients (17 women, five men; median age, 51 years) were identified. The median diameter of hepatic hemangiomas in the baseline study was 114 mm. Two patients had abdominal distention at the time of the baseline imaging, whereas the others were asymptomatic. After follow-up without treatment (the median; 95.5 months), enlargement, no change, shrinkage of hepatic hemangioma was observed in six, 11, and five patients, respectively. The median growth rate of hepatic hemangiomas was 2.5 mm/year. Two patients underwent liver resection for hepatic hemangioma, while the others were followed up without treatment. In four patients, symptoms appeared or worsened. Two patients died: one patient died from prostate cancer progression; the cause of death for the other was not confirmed.

Hepatic hemangiomas show a slow growth rate during follow-up, and shrinkage is occasionally observed. Some patients experience new symptoms or aggravation of symptoms; however, deaths associated with hepatic hemangiomas are uncommon.