Efficient Ways To Treat Liver Hemangioma
A liver hemangioma is a type of noncancerous (benign) tumor made of clusters of abnormal blood vessels. Small hemangiomas usually require no treatment and produce no symptoms. In fact, patients with small liver hemangiomas are often unaware of them until the tumors are detected incidentally during tests for other conditions. Doctors estimate between one to five percent of Americans may have small hemangiomas on their livers. Symptoms usually occur with tumors larger than four centimeters (one and a half inches), and typically include abdominal pain and bloating, though occasionally, nausea and loss of appetite may be present. In infants with liver hemangiomas, symptoms can be more serious and include heart failure and the formation of numerous blood clots. In general, women have an increased risk of liver hemangiomas, and most cases occur between the ages of thirty and fifty. The cause of liver hemangiomas is unknown. The treatment methods outlined below are often helpful for this condition.
Surgical Removal
Surgical removal of a liver hemangioma may be possible in many cases, and this is often the preferred treatment method. Surgery tends to be recommended when doctors determine the hemangioma can be easily separated from the healthy part of the liver. Ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans, and other imaging tests will be performed to help make this determination. Before the surgery, patients will need to fast for at least eight hours. These surgeries are usually performed in hospitals under general anesthesia, and patients may need to stay overnight for monitoring. After patients return home, they will need to be closely monitored and have frequent checkups with their medical team. Since liver hemangiomas may regrow, doctors usually do repeat ultrasounds and other imaging tests to monitor patients who have had hemangiomas removed.
Arterial Embolization
Arterial embolization is an alternative method of blocking blood flow to a hemangioma. Instead of tying off the artery supplying the growth, doctors will inject the artery with a chemical that blocks it. Specialists known as interventional radiologists typically perform these procedures. Arterial embolization procedures are performed with light sedation that makes the patient sleepy; this is given intravenously and is different than general anesthesia.
During the procedure, the radiologist inserts a catheter into an artery in the patient's groin. The groin area is anesthetized with local anesthetic before this is done. Once the catheter has been inserted, it is guided until it reaches the artery in the liver that supplies the hemangioma. To be sure the catheter is placed correctly, a contrast dye will be injected to give doctors a clear view of the arteries and the hemangioma. Once the hemangioma is successfully located, particles are injected through the catheter to block the artery. This completes the procedure, and doctors remove the catheter. The groin area where the catheter was inserted will be covered with a sterile dressing. Patients will be moved to a recovery area, and they will need to lie flat for at least one hour. Nurses will monitor the bandaged area for any bleeding, and patients should notify staff if they notice the dressing feels wet or warm.
