Diffuse expansive cavernous hemangioma of the gallbladder

Abstract

Although hemangiomas are common hepatic tumors, their occurrence in the gallbladder is extremely rare. In the present report, we describe a diffuse expansive cavernous hemangioma of the gallbladder. The patient was a 50-year-old woman presenting with a 24-hour history of persistent right upper abdominal quadrant pain. The lesion caused a voluminous enlargement of the gallbladder creating a clinical impression of a cystic mesenteric tumor. The vascular origin of the tumor was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Only 4 cases, including the present one of cavernous hemangioma involving the gallbladder have been reported in the English literature. The average age of presentation is 52.5 years (range 43-60 years), and the female to male ratio is 3:1. The lesions can be symptomatic and may have confusing radiographic appearances. Lithiasis has not been associated with the cavernous hemangioma of the gallbladder.