Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2013; 19(19): 2974-2978
Published online May 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i19.2974
Successful liver resection in a giant hemangioma with intestinal obstruction after embolization
Ji-Xiang Zhou, Ji-Wei Huang, Hong Wu, Yong Zeng
Ji-Xiang Zhou, Ji-Wei Huang, Hong Wu, Yong Zeng, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Zhou JX, Wu H and Zeng Y designed this study; Zhou JX and Huang JW collected, analyzed and interpreted data; Zhou JX drafted the article; all authors critically reviewed and approved the manuscript; Zhou JX and Zeng Y are principal investigators for the project.
Correspondence to: Yong Zeng, MD, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. zengyongmd@163.com
Telephone: +86-288-5422474 Fax: +86-288-5422474
Received: October 9, 2012
Revised: January 17, 2013
Accepted: March 28, 2013
Published online: May 21, 2013
Processing time: 222 Days and 16.1 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of the liver. Most hepatic hemangiomas remain asymptomatic and require no treatment; giant hepatic hemangiomas with established complications, diagnostic uncertainty and incapacitating symptom, however, are generally considered an absolute indication for surgical resection. We present a case of a giant hemangioma with intestinal obstruction following transcatheter arterial embolization, by which the volume of the hemangioma was significantly reduced, and it was completely resected by a left hepatectomy. Our experience indicates the effectiveness of pre-operative arterial embolization to reduce tumor size, and the importance of a close follow-up to decide when to perform the surgery.