Liver transplantation for liver hemangioma: The Paul Brousse Hospital experience and a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Background

Liver hemangiomas are the most common type of benign liver tumor in adults, often asymptomatic and non amenable to treatment. Liver transplantation has been suggested to be an effective treatment option in highly selected patients with non-resectable giant liver hemangiomas causing severe symptoms when other treatment options have failed or are deemed inappropriate

Methods

We report our experience at Paul Brousse Hospital with liver transplantation for giant hepatic hemangioma and a systematic review of the literature on the indication of liver transplantation, to clarify feasibility and short- and long-term outcomes.

Results

The literature search yielded 525 articles. After screening titles and abstracts, 19 articles were finally included in this review. Regarding our experience during the study period, three out of 3593 liver transplantations were carried out for giant symptomatic hemangioma. In the literature 23 cases were described, of which 5 associated to a Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, with an acceptable follow up.

Conclusions

Giant liver hemangiomas represent a rare indication for liver transplantation. Exceptionally when other treatment options have failed or are not suitable, liver transplantation is a safe and effective option.