Primary malignant hepatic tumors in children--a clinicoradiological profile

A retrospective analysis of clinicoradiological records of 14 patients with primary malignant tumors of liver (12 hepatoblastomas, 2 embryonal sarcomas) was done. High levels of alpha feto protein were found in four out of six patients and plain X-ray calcification was seen in 33% of patients with hepatoblastoma. Hepatoblastoma was predominantly (80%) a right lobar, illdefined, heterogenous solid mass, which was mixed attenuating on CT scan with areas of patchy enhancement. Angiography was useful in vascular mapping for surgery. A rare association of congenital dysplastic kidney with hepatoblastoma was noted. The imaging protocol for a malignant hepatic tumor and possible differentiating features from the rare entity of embryonal sarcoma are discussed.