Hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma: a case report and radiological findings

Primary tumours of the liver are uncommon in childhood. Of these, more than two-thirds are malignant. As such, benign hepatic tumours are often not considered in the differential diagnosis of a hepatic mass in childhood. We report a case of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma, a rare benign tumour, in a 10-month-old infant. This tumour is characterised by an admixture of ductal structures within a copious loose connective tissue stroma. Only approximately 160 cases had been reported in the literature. Awareness of the ultrasound (U/S) and computed tomography (CT) features, although not diagnostic, is helpful in distinguishing it from the more common malignant tumours. A correct preoperative diagnosis is important as surgical excision is often curative.