Propranolol treatment in Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome secondary to congenital hepatic hemangioma. Clinical case

Abstract

Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign liver tumor. It can be congenital or infantile with different outcomes and complications. The clinical manifestation varies from asymptomatic to severe conditions with heart failure, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome or compartment syndrome. Diagnosis depends on medical history and imaging studies, especially ultrasound and Doppler examination in experienced hands. Differential diagnosis is essential with other hepatic lesions, mainly hepatoblastoma. In symptomatic patients, propranolol emerges as the first line treatment with good results and low frequency of adverse effects. We present the case of a newborn with a hepatic hemangioma and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with an excellent response and tolerance to propranolol.