Enucleation of a fivekilogram hemangioma of the caudate lobe of the liver: A case report

Introduction: Although cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign tumors of the liver, caudate lobe is rare site of this type of hepatic pathology. Owing to the intricacy of the anatomy of the caudate lobe, the reports on resection of whole caudate lobe for tumor inside were seldom seen before the 1980s. This segment of the liver was always considered as the forbidden zone of hepatic surgery. Although excision of the caudate lobe has been performed with other types of hepatic resection, isolated complete removal of the caudate lobe is a technically challenging procedure. Case Report: We report a case of a giant cavernous hemangioma of the caudate lobe of the liver which extended to the right side compressing the right lobe.The patient was complaining of dull aching dragging abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium stationary in course for eight years, and in the last two years it became progressive preventing the patient from spleeping in supine position due severe dyspnea. Abdominal imaging, including ultrasonography and dynamic triphasic computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the caudate lobe with a typical CT enhancement pattern of a hemangioma. Surgical exploration and excision of the mass was done successfully and completely. The dimensions of the mass were 35x25x15 cm and the weight was 4750 g. Conclusion: Whatever the size of caudate lobe hemangioma, it could be enculated safely.