Infantile hepatic hemangioma: A dual case study and review of literature

Abstract

Infantile hepatic hemangiomas (IHHs), which are the most common infantile benign liver tumors shows a similar proliferative and involutional stages as infantile hemangiomas on the skin. IHHs are frequently asymptomatic, although some lesions can cause serious illness in the form of hypothyroidism, coagulopathy, and high-output congestive heart failure, which makes early detection as much as effective management crucial. The authors propose that as a first-line modality, ultrasound (US) is ideal because not only is it highly specific in its diagnostics, it is also highly effective in monitoring lesions involution, with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) held in reserve in case ultrasound is not definitive. Through the analysis of the two cases below and a review of the literature, we aim to provide a detailed description of the multiple radiological aspects of this pathology, as well as an in-depth assessment of the available therapeutic approaches.