The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the importance of prenatal imaging for treatment management of fetal giant hepatic hemangiomas. Prenatal ultrasound revealed an abdominal mass with several cystic areas and punctate calcifications in a fetus at 29 weeks' gestation. Doppler scans confirmed the highly vascular nature of the mass. In this case, ultrasound diagnosed the mass was of hepatic origin, while magnetic resonance imaging at 32 weeks' gestation was more equivocal with respect to the anatomy source of the lesion. Imminent hydrops caused by a rapidly enlarged liver tumor was sonographically demonstrated at 34 weeks' gestation. An elective C-section and immediate tumor resection was performed. At the age of 20 months the infant is thriving. This case supports the notion that the survival rates for giant hepatic hemangiomas improve when fetal hydrops is averted and specific pre- and postnatal treatment is applied based on correct prenatal imaging diagnostics.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel