Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma: report of a case with fine needle aspiration findings

Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma is a rare tumor. Cytologic and histologic differentiation from other hepatic tumors is necessary to determine appropriate therapy. Fine needle aspiration cytology of this rare tumor has not been reported in the literature before.

A 5-month-old female infant presented with hepatomegaly. Computed tomography revealed numerous nodules occupying the entire liver parenchyma that were considered to be metastatic tumors. However, the primary tumor was not detected. Cytology smears revealed numerous clusters of and isolated, benign-looking, cuboidal, round cells that were diagnosed as benign tumors, and a laparotomy was advised. Histology of the nodules showed infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma. The patient is alive and undergoing supportive therapy.

A vascular lesion should be considered in a fine needle aspiration biopsy of liver masses in infants, especially when the clinical features are not consistent with a metastatic malignancy. Immunoreactivity for factor VII-related antigen, CD34 and cytokeratin-7 is helpful in establishing the diagnosis.