Incidentally detected cavernous haemangioma of the liver on autopsy of a middle-aged male

Abstract

Cavernous haemangioma of the liver is a common benign vascular lesion, frequently asymptomatic and identified incidentally through imaging techniques. However, its identification during autopsy is uncommon. This report describes a 33-year-old male diagnosed with an incidental cavernous haemangioma of the liver identified during a post-mortem examination. The patient exhibited no previous history of liver disease or symptoms indicative of hepatic pathology. The gross examination identified an ill-defined, dark red, spongy lesion in the hepatic parenchyma. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis, revealing dilated vascular channels lined by endothelial cells, with no indications of malignancy. The clinical significance of hepatic haemangiomas is associated with potential complications, including rupture, haemorrhage and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, even though most cases remain asymptomatic. This case emphasises the significance of identifying incidental hepatic haemangiomas in post-mortem examinations and recognising their benign characteristics to prevent unnecessary interventions during life.