Neonatal giant hepatic hemangioma: A case report

RATIONALE: Hepatic hemangioma is the third most common pediatric tumor, and it is rare in the neonatal period. This case study presents a rare case of hepatic hemangioma found in a neonate. PATIENT CONCERNS: A girl who was 18 days of age with the emergence of jaundice and an abdominal mass was admitted for physical examination in the local department. DIAGNOSES: An ultrasound showed that the hepatic left lobe was about 9 cm × 7 cm × 7 cm in size. A CT scan indicated a giant hemangioma in the hepatic left lobe. MRI detected a lesion measuring about 92 mm × 71 mm × 68 mm. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with propranolol 3.5 mg PO bid (body weight 3.8 kg) after 1 week of admission for 4 weeks, but the mass did not appear to regress. Surgery was then performed successfully. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered well without recurrence beyond one year. LESSONS: Imaging strategies and prenatal diagnosis are vital for the diagnosis of infantile hepatic hemangioma. Propranolol is effective in both cutaneous and hepatic multifocal and diffuse hemangioma. Adequate treatment time is necessary to cure the disease. The role of propranolol in massive hepatic hemangioma remains uncertain and needs further investigation.