[Hamartoma of the liver in childhood]

Liver hamartoma is one of the very rare findings in childhood. It is a dysontogenetic malformation that grows clinically manifest with tumour-like appearance in the first or second year of age. Cystic and solid formations are described in this report. Findings are usually clearly delimited from clinically intact liver parenchyma. In surgical extirpation, that delimitation should be stringently observed to avoid unnecessary blood loss. The prognosis generally is good and should not be jeopardised by delay of surgical therapy. Reported are two cases of liver hamartoma, with both patients being laparotomised at the age of one and a half years.