title: Hepatic angio-sarcoma: An unusual source of intra-hepatic bleeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatic angio-sarcoma represents an uncommon malignant tumor of the liver with a poor prognosis and a high rate of bleeding complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of hepatic angio-sarcoma with a multi-nodular pattern complicated by intra-hepatic bleeding. The diagnosis was performed by computed tomography (CT). Angiographic procedure was unsuccessfully attempted as a treatment option. Autoptic examination confirmed the vascular nature of the malignant tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatic angio-sarcoma represents the most common malignant mesenchymal tumor of the liver. The diagnosis is provided by the histological examination and by specific endothelial markers. However, CT examination allows to recognize the disease and to detect intra-abdominal bleeding occurring in one-fourth of cases. Surgical resection represents the only definitive treatment of hepatic angio-sarcoma. In case of haemoperitoneum, trans-catheter arterial embolization represents the primary procedure used to stop the acute arterial bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT represents the reference technique for the diagnosis of hepatic angio-sarcoma and allows to recognize the intra-abdominal bleeding which represents its most common complication. This condition always requires an immediate therapeutic approach.
authors.affiliation: DIM - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Aldo Moro University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy. Electronic address: a.stabile@radiologia.uniba.it.
authors.forename: Amato Antonio
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Stabile Ianora
authors.affiliation: DIM - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Aldo Moro University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Telegrafo
authors.affiliation: DIM - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Aldo Moro University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fucilli
authors.affiliation: DIM - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Aldo Moro University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Arnaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scardapane
authors.affiliation: DIM - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Aldo Moro University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moschetta
keywords: Angiography; Bleeding; CT; Computed tomography; Hepatic angio-sarcoma