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

To present a case of rapidly progressive diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis (DHH) in an adult and discuss its diagnostic challenges.

Approach:
  • Case Presentation: A 51-year-old female with primary biliary cholangitis presented with multiple hepatic lesions initially suspected to be hemangiomas, which progressed rapidly over six months.
  • Diagnostic Evaluation: A percutaneous liver biopsy suggested a benign vascular lesion, but rapid clinical deterioration raised concerns for hepatic angiosarcoma.
  • Treatment and Outcome: The patient received paclitaxel and durvalumab without therapeutic response and died due to tumor rupture.
  • Autopsy Findings: Autopsy revealed diffuse replacement of hepatic parenchyma with multiloculated cystic vascular spaces lined with pleomorphic endothelial cells, confirming DHH.
Key Findings:
  • DHH is a rare benign vascular tumor of the liver that can exhibit rapid progression.
  • Histopathological evaluation is critical for diagnosis, distinguishing DHH from hemangiomas and hepatic angiosarcomas.
Interpretation:

The case highlights the diagnostic challenges of DHH, particularly its differentiation from more aggressive vascular lesions.

Limitations:
  • The rarity of DHH limits the understanding of its clinical behavior and outcomes.
  • Histopathological features can overlap with other vascular lesions, complicating diagnosis.
Conclusion:

This case contributes to the understanding of DHH's clinical and pathological features, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation in rapidly progressive cases.

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