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[Anemic infarct of the liver following blunt abdominal trauma]
Insights
Liver ischemia is rare in children due to dual blood supply. A 2-year-old boy experienced liver lobe infarction after a fall, treated successfully with resection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Liver ischemia is exceptionally rare in pediatric patients.
- The liver's dual blood supply (hepatic artery and portal vein) and extensive collateral circulation offer protection against ischemic events.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy sustained a significant fall.
- Following the trauma, he developed anemic infarction affecting the entire left lobe of his liver.
Findings:
- The case details the clinical presentation and histological findings of pediatric liver infarction.
- Surgical resection of the affected left liver lobe was performed.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare presentation of liver injury in a child.
- Successful surgical management (resection) can lead to complete recovery from extensive liver lobe infarction.
Abstract:
Particularly in childhood, ischaemias of the liver are very rare. This is due to numerous collateral vessels and a dual blood supply of the liver. We, therefore, report on a 2-year old boy who suffered from an anaemic infarction of the whole left lobe of the liver after a fall. The clinical course and findings, including histology, are described. After resection of the left lobe the boy was free of symptoms.