During the past 19 years, 52 cases of hepatic
cavernous hemangioma have been treated at our institution. Thirty patients underwent hepatic resection. In six patients, the extensive
tumor mass invaded multiple segments or both lobes of the liver and complete resection was deemed hazardous. Therefore, hepatic artery
ligation was carried out. In all six cases the
hemangioma occupied more than two segments. Right hepatic artery
ligation was done in five patients and left hepatic artery
ligation in one. All are doing well without complication. The longest follow-up is 19 years and the shortest 2 years and 2 months following operation. Four patients have been followed for more than 4 years and in all patients there are no residual complaints. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed the reduction of the
tumor size after arterial
ligation. One patient suffered from
cholecystolithiasis 9 years after hepatic artery
ligation, and at the time of
cholecystectomy, a biopsy and microscopic examination of the lesion revealed evidence of fibrotic degeneration of the
hemangioma. These findings indicate the effectiveness of hepatic artery
ligation for treatment of hepatic
cavernous hemangioma that are judged hazardous to resect.