[Hemangiomatosis of the liver in infants: Diagnosis and treatment].

The authors present 7 patients with hemangiomatosis of the liver together with about 100 cases reported in the literature. 6 of 7 patients survived; 4 with supportive treatment only. Follow-up is from 2 to 12 years. Hepatomegaly, heart failure and cutaneous angiomas constitute the classical clinical triad. Arteriography is the best method to diagnose this lesion, and biopsy can thus be avoided. Clinical features and histological examination of these benign vascular tumors seem to confirm the theory that hemangioendothelioma and hemangioma represent only two different developmental stages of one disease. These lesions can regress spontaneously if left alone. Despite contrary prevailing opinion the conservative treatment is recommended as the first choice of the clinician.