Case Report: Adult-onset diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis with rapid progression: an autopsy case with diagnostic difficulty - Report - MDSpire

Autopsy Findings in a Rare Case of Rapidly Progressive Adult-onset Diffuse Hepatic Hemangiomatosis with Diagnostic Challenges

  • By

  • Takahiro Sugie

  • Rieko Nishimura

  • Yuya Urano

  • Akari Iwakoshi

  • Yoshiko Murakami

  • Mariko Sato

  • Chiyoe Kitagawa

  • Kenichi Harada

  • July 21, 2026

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Clinical Report: Autopsy Findings in a Rare Case of Rapidly Progressive Adult-onset Diffuse Hepatic Hemangiomatosis

Background

Diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis (DHH) is an uncommon benign vascular tumor of the liver, primarily affecting adults. Its clinical presentation can mimic more aggressive conditions such as hepatic angiosarcoma, complicating diagnosis and management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available in the source material.

Key Findings

  • DHH is characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern and dilated vascular spaces without marked atypia.
  • The case presented involved a 51-year-old female with multiple hepatic lesions initially suspected to be hemangiomas.
  • Rapid progression of lesions was observed over six months, raising concerns for hepatic angiosarcoma.
  • Autopsy revealed multiloculated cystic vascular spaces lined with pleomorphic endothelial cells, supporting the diagnosis of DHH.
  • No histological heterogeneity or extrahepatic lesions were found during autopsy.
  • Pleomorphic endothelial cells may be related to treatment artifacts from prior chemotherapy.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the diagnostic challenges posed by DHH, particularly in differentiating it from hepatic angiosarcoma. Careful histopathological evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis, especially in cases of rapid clinical progression.

Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of recognizing the clinical and pathological features of DHH to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2010 -- Urgent Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Due to Hemorrhage from a Large Cavernous Hepatic Hemangioma: A Case Study and Literature Review
  2. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Case Report: Surgical management of giant hepatic cavernous haemangioma with Kasabach–Merritt syndrome in an adult
  3. Pediatric Cardiology, 2010 -- Two Instances of Cardiac Arteriovenous Malformation Associated with a Localized Angioproliferative Condition
  4. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Giant rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma in a neonate: a case report
  5. Adult diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis lesion occupying the entire abdominal and pelvic cavities: a case report
  6. ACR Appropriateness Criteria on Liver Lesion—Initial Characterization
  7. Adult diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis lesion occupying the entire abdominal and pelvic cavities: a case report
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