Hepatic Infantile Haemangioma
A benign vascular tumour of the infant liver characterised by lobular proliferation of GLUT1-positive endothelial cells, capable of causing high-output cardiac failure and hypothyroidism.
Full Definition
Hepatic infantile haemangioma is the most common benign hepatic tumour in infancy. It expresses the glucose transporter GLUT1 on immunohistochemistry, which distinguishes it from other vascular lesions such as hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma or vascular malformations. Three morphological subtypes are recognised: focal, multifocal, and diffuse; the diffuse form poses the greatest risk of complications including abdominal compartment syndrome, consumptive hypothyroidism (due to type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase expression), and high-output cardiac failure. Spontaneous involution is the rule in uncomplicated cases. Editors should distinguish this entity from 'kaposiform haemangioendothelioma' and not confuse it with haemangiomas arising in cutaneous sites.
Usage
Usage note: Specify 'hepatic' to distinguish from cutaneous infantile haemangioma; include GLUT1 status in pathology reports.
In Context
- "The diffuse hepatic infantile haemangioma was complicated by consumptive hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine supplementation." — Paediatric hepatology clinical report
- "GLUT1 positivity confirmed hepatic infantile haemangioma and excluded a vascular malformation." — Immunohistochemistry report