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Case Reports
. 2021 Apr:81:105742.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105742. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Hepatic small vessel neoplasm case report: A surveillance conundrum

Affiliations
Case Reports

Hepatic small vessel neoplasm case report: A surveillance conundrum

Patricia Mulholland et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatic small vessel neoplasm (HSVN) is a recently described vascular neoplasm of the liver that can mimic hepatic angiosarcoma (AS) because of its infiltrative nature but is considered benign or, at most, low-grade. HSVN appears to demonstrate a benign clinical course with no reported recurrences or metastatic disease, although its long-term malignant potential is uncertain.

Case presentation: We present a 57-year-old man with an incidentally growing segment VII lesion that displayed features concerning for a neoplasm. He underwent a posterior sectionectomy and final histopathology confirmed a 27 mm HSVN. As the long-term malignant potential of HSVN is uncertain, he will be followed up with serial MRI scans over the next 5 years.

Discussion: HSVN is a recently described entity, it is uncertain what the long-term malignant potential of HSVN can be. Reported cases have not shown any evidence of disease progression.

Conclusion: There are no clear guidelines established on the duration of the follow-up of HSVN. More research needs to be done to determine further the natural history of these tumours and possible radiological criteria.

Keywords: Case report; HSVN; Hepatic small vessel neoplasm; Hepatobiliary; Neoplasia.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Axial T2 Fat-suppressed MRI image of liver. White arrow showing posterior segment VII lesion.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Axial LAVA Sequence (Three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence) of liver. White arrow showing posterior segment VII lesion.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
An intermediate-magnification view of the neoplasm, showing anastomosing vessels between residual hepatocyte islands (bottom left and bottom right). Despite infiltrative growth, there is no cytologic atypia and only rare mitotic activity.

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