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Case report: infantile hemangioendothelioma
Jeanne P Zenge1, Laura Fenton, Mark A Lovell
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|March 7, 2002
Summary
A rare infantile hemangioendothelioma was diagnosed in an infant with abdominal distention and elevated alpha-fetoprotein. Surgical resection confirmed the benign liver tumor, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis for neonatal hepatic neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hepatology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Infantile hemangioendothelioma (IHE) is the most common benign vascular tumor of the liver in infants.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Observation:
- An 18-day-old male infant presented with abdominal distention and prominent abdominal vascular markings.
- Laboratory tests revealed elevated alpha-fetoprotein (7051 ng/ml) and mild anemia.
- Imaging studies identified a large, heterogeneous liver mass.
Findings:
- Surgical resection was performed to exclude malignancy.
- Histopathologic examination confirmed a type I infantile hemangioendothelioma.
- The infant had no signs of congestive heart failure or coagulopathy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering IHE in the differential diagnosis of neonatal hepatic masses.
- Prompt surgical intervention aids in diagnosis and management.
- Further research into IHE presentation and treatment is warranted.