Congenital cysts of the liver in infancy and childhood

A case of adult undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver successfully treated with right trisectionectomy: a case report

Background

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in children and is rarely diagnosed in adults.

Case presentation

Here, we describe the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with a huge cystic lesion in the liver. Laboratory studies performed on admission showed modest inflammation, poor nutrition, and elevated levels of total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transferase. Computed tomography showed a well-defined, heterogeneous tumor with multiple cysts involving the right lobe and the medial segment of the liver, with a maximum diameter of 16 cm. Positron emission tomography/computed tomographic scans showed the uptake of 2-(fluorine-18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose in a part of the cyst. The patient was diagnosed with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma or sarcoma of the liver and underwent right trisectionectomy. Histopathological studies revealed that the tumor was composed of pleomorphic and polynuclear dyskaryotic cells with eosinophilic globules in the cytoplasm. Mesenchymal hamartoma-like tissue was observed in the peripheral part of the tumor. Immunohistochemical analyses showed the tumor stained with vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, desmin, α1-antitrypsin, and α1-antichymotripsin. Therefore, a histological diagnosis of UESL was made. Eighteen months following treatment, two recurrent tumors in the remnant liver were detected and resection of the recurrent tumors was performed.

Conclusions

A UESL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large cystic hepatic lesions. Although the prognosis of UESL is extremely unfavorable, aggressive surgical resection should be the most important factor for ensuring long-term survival.

Laparoscopic excision of a large hepatic cyst

The authors suggest that laparoscopic techniques may be feasible in the pediatric patient with rare, benign hepatic cysts.

Benign congenital liver cysts are rare in the pediatric population and often present a challenge in the diagnosis. Therefore, with recent advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery, this technique may be ideal in achieving both diagnosis and curative resection. We describe the case of a 2-month-old female initially referred for an antenatal ultrasound in the third trimester revealing a 7-cm intraabdominal cystic lesion of unknown origin. She was found to have a 10-cm hepatic cyst successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. Our approach consisted of complete cyst excision along with its attached hepatic parenchyma. We recommend this technique as safe and feasible.

Laparoscopic deroofing of congenital solitary liver cyst in a neonate managed at day 16 of life

Congenital liver cysts are uncommon lesions, which are being recognized with the increasing use of antenatal ultrasound. In this paper, we report a case of an antenatally diagnosed solitary simple liver cyst managed by laparoscopic deroofing. Laparoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and gave information about the relation of the cyst with the liver and portal structures. Laparoscopic deroofing is a safe, effective means of management of the liver cyst in pediatric patients.

Estudo de 50 casos por tomografia computadorizada de lesões hipodensas hepáticas fundamentais na infância

OBJETIVO: Relatar os diferentes aspectos tomográficos das lesões hepáticas hipodensas na infância, orientando às diferentes possibilidades diagnósticas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizados estudos tomográficos de lesões hipodensas hepáticas previamente diagnosticadas à ultra-sonografia em 50 pacientes pediátricos (0-16 anos). As imagens foram obtidas antes e após a administração de contraste venoso. Os aspectos de imagem foram analisados e correlacionados posteriormente com o diagnóstico anatomopatológico. RESULTADOS: Dos 50 casos estudados, 47 foram confirmados, 30 destes por estudo anatomopatológico. A maioria das lesões era benigna, sendo o hemangioma o mais freqüente (20% dos casos). Tais lesões apresentaram captação homogênea do meio de contraste, principalmente na fase tardia, diferenciando assim das malignas. As lesões malignas mais freqüentes foram as metástases (18%). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo constatou que o exame tomográfico, antes e após a administração do contraste venoso, dinâmico e/ou helicoidal, foi de grande valia para a complementação da hipótese diagnóstica nas lesões hipodensas hepáticas na infância, devendo ser rotina após diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico.

Hepatic undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma arising in a mesenchymal hamartoma

We report the case of a hepatic undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma (UES) arising within a mesenchymal hamartoma (MH) in a 15-year-old girl. Mapping of the tumor demonstrated a typical MH transforming gradually into a UES composed of anaplastic stromal cells. When evaluated by flow cytometry, the MH was diploid and the UES showed a prominent aneuploid peak. Karyotypic analysis of the UES showed structural alterations of chromosome 19, which have been implicated as a potential genetic marker of MH. The histogenesis of MH and UES is still debated, and reports of a relationship between them, although suggested on the basis of histomorphologic similarities, have never been convincing. The histologic, flow cytometric, and cytogenetic evidence reported herein suggests a link between these two hepatic tumors of the pediatric population.

Solitary nonparasitic hepatic cyst causing abdominal distension and respiratory distress in a newborn

This is a report of a girl infant born with a protuberant abdomen and respiratory distress. A cystic mass was excised from the liver.

Microcolon in the absence of small bowel obstruction in the newborn

Microcolon is a manifestation of intestinal obstruction in utero, and in the overwhelming majority of cases it accompanies low small bowel obstruction. Two cases of congenital abdominal masses, an ileal duplication, and a cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver caused microcolon although the bowel was intrinsically normal. Bowel compression in utero may also lead to neonatal microcolon.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver: report of 30 cases and review of the literature

Thirty cases of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver are presented and compared with 42 previously published cases. The patients, 69% male, range in age from newborn to 10 years (average age 15 months, median age 10 months). Except for occasional cases in which the lesion is an incidental finding at autopsy, most present with progressive abdominal enlargement over a period of days to months. Physical and radiologic examinations are nonspecific except for the demonstration of a mass within or attached to the liver. The masses are large, averaging 1311 g, and frequently contain cysts filled with clear fluid or gelatinous material. Histologic examination shows a mixture of loose mesenchymal tissue, bile ducts, connective tissue, and hepatocytes along with cysts formed either from degenerative areas of mesenchyme or from dilated bile ducts and lympathics. Treatment is partial or total excision of the lesion. Mortality (7-17%) is related to intraoperative or postoperative complications. Recurrence or malignant transformation has not been noted.

Epidermoid cysts of the liver

To the four recorded cases of epidermoid cysts of the liver are added two cases recently seen in children. One was in a 4-yr-old girl and associated with biliary cirrhosis. The other was in a 5-mo-old boy. The former was treated by roux-en-y cystjejunostomy, the latter by enucleation. The origin of these cysts is unknown. One theory suggests derivation from accessory foregut buds. Because of their malignant potential, treatment should be by excision. Where this is impossible, roux-en-y cystjejunostomy offers satisfactory palliation.

Primary hepatic tumors of childhood

A clinicopathologic review of 73 cases of primary liver tumors at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, has documented important prognostic and therapeutic implications for the histologic classification of hepatoblastoma. The pure "fetal" pattern was associated with cure in every instance that surgical excision was achieved (six of six patients), whereas only two of 19 patients with "embryonal" or other undifferentiated patterns of growth survived five years. The relationship of hepatoblastoma and hepatocarcinoma in childhood to antecedent conditions is discussed in detail. The uncommon liver sarcomas are also reviewed in the light of experience at these two institutions.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver in infants

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign tumor of childhood which has been confused with various other benign liver lesions, particularly vascular hamartomas which are mesodermal but not mesenchymal. The mass, frequently cystic, is characterized by an admixture of epithelial structures in a loose connective tissue stroma with fluid accumulation suggestive of lymphangiomatous channels. Four patients are presented and reviewed with 25 previously reported cases. The patients, usually asymptomatic, present during the first two years of life with progressive abdominal distention, which may be rapid because of increasing fluid content in the connective tissue stroma and cysts. Exploration and biopsy may be necessary before definitive excision. The present cases include a newborn, the youngest known, and a case in which radiation resulted in hyalinization of the mesenchyme, decrease in fluid content, and easlier resection. Respiratory distress and signs of vena caval obstruction due to intra-abdominal pressure were noted. Prognosis after extirpation is very good.