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There are two types of liver hemangioma: cavernous and hemangioendothelioma.

Hemangioendotheliomata are generally seen only in children.
Cavernous hemangiomas occur in individuals of all ages and throughout the world. They are more commonly found in older persons and rarely identified in young children. Cavernous hemangiomas are more common in women than men. Estrogens may increase their size.

Cavernous hemangioma can vary in size and be as large as several centimeters. The margins of the tumors
are usually well defined. Hemangiomas are filled with vascular channels of various sizes and also contain
fibrous tissue. Thrombi (clotted blood) may be present in the vascular channels.
Cavernous hemagioma are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally when ultrasound, CT or other
abdominal imaging studies are undertaken for other reasons. Sometime, a patient with a hemangioma will
present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, other abdominal symptoms or a palpable mass. Rarely,
patients with hemangioma will present with anemia or low platelet counts because red blood cells or
platelets are sequestered and/or destroyed in the tumor. Very rarely, a hemangioma can rupture, usually
after abdominal trauma.

Diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma is made by special imaging studies. Routine ultrasound is suggestive
but usually not diagnostic. Diagnosis can usually be made by nuclear medicine scans using radioactive
technetium tagged red blood cells, magnetic resonance or dynamic CT scan with contrast. Rarely, hepatic
angiogram is necessary to make a definite diagnosis of hemangioma.

Cavernous hemangiomas are benign. There is no risk of developing into cancer. If the patient is asymptomatic, no treatment is necessary. Large, symptomatic hemangiomas are treated by surgical resection.

 

Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease

Obesity, and all of its related complications, is more serious than most adults in America believe. More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and certain types of cancer, are some of the leading causes of preventable death. We are seeing an increase in the number of young children and adolescents developing obesity, and all of the related complications.

The cost of obesity is staggering, with annual medical cost of obesity exceeding $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars. The medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

Dr. Galati and the Liver Specialists of Texas team are dedicated to evaluate, treat, and manage all aspects of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD and NASH), including the complication of cirrhosis and liver failure. Developing a customized plan of care for each patient they see is their objective.

Liver Transplant Resources

Dr. Galati has been involved in Liver Transplantation since 1989. As Medical Director for the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Galati has cared for thousands of patients with advanced liver disease. In those with the most severe form of advanced liver disease and cirrhosis, liver transplantation is a life-saving surgery. For more information on liver transplantation, click here.

Indications for liver transplant include:

Online LIVER Second Opinion

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    From the comfort of your home, without the need to spend additional money on travel, lodging, and food, receive and expert second opinion from the expert physicians at Liver Specialists of Texas

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    There are five steps in the process of requesting a second opinion. We anticipate the steps will take you about 30-65 minutes to complete.

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    Have your medical records or those of your loved one on hand as you fill out the medical history questionnaire portion of the online process. The medical history questionnaire is detailed so having medical records to quickly reference will help make the process more efficient.

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    To start the process of an Online Liver Second Opinion, please fill out the initial contact form and fax back to our office. A representative from our office will call you for additional details.