PRIMARY tumors of the liver are seldom encountered. In any large series, the vast majority are either liver cell or bile duct carcinomas. The hemangioma, which is by far the most common of the benign lesions, represents only 10% of the primary hepatic neoplasms. In the adult, it rarely produces symptoms, is almost always innocuous, and is usually diagnosed as an incidental finding during abdominal exploration or at necropsy.
However, recent experience with a hemangioma of the liver in a newborn infant led to a reevaluation of the significance of this tumor, especially in regard to the neonatal period. After thorough review of the literature, it was noted that there have been seven previously reported cases of hemangioma in the neonate. Four died of shock as a result of intraperitoneal hemorrhage from the tumor, while only the three who underwent resection of the lesion survived. It therefore seemed apppropriate to