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Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in infancy: a case report
Giuseppe De Luca1, Marcello Zamparelli, Carlo Fadda
1Department of Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon National Children's Hospital, Naples 80129, Italy.
Insights
Focal nodular hyperplasia, a benign liver tumor, is rare in infants. Surgical treatment was successful for a 7-month-old infant with a large lesion causing portal vein compression.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hepatology
- Surgical Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a common benign liver lesion, typically affecting young women.
- Its occurrence in infants is rare, posing diagnostic challenges due to differential diagnosis with other pediatric hepatic tumors.
- Conservative management is the traditional approach for FNH in children.
Observation:
- A 7-month-old infant presented with a large FNH involving the entire left lobe of the liver.
- The lesion exhibited progressive enlargement.
- The growing FNH caused significant compression of the portal vein.
Findings:
- The infant underwent successful surgical resection of the large focal nodular hyperplasia.
- Histopathological confirmation of FNH was obtained post-surgery.
- The surgical intervention relieved the portal vein compression.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential need for surgical intervention in pediatric FNH when rapid growth or complications like vascular compression occur.
- It underscores the importance of considering FNH in the differential diagnosis of pediatric liver masses.
- Further discussion on therapeutic options and indications for pediatric FNH is warranted.
Abstract:
Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver is a benign disorder usually affecting young women. Its treatment in children is traditionally conservative. Because of its rarity in childhood, its differential diagnosis with other hepatic tumors in children and infants is challenging. We present the case of a 7-month-old infant with large focal nodular hyperplasia affecting the whole left liver lobe. Because of progressive enlargement of the lesion and compression of the portal vein, the baby underwent successful surgical treatment. Different therapeutic options and relative indications are discussed.
