Focal nocular hyperplasia and adenoma of the liver: A pediatric experience

Focal nodular hyperplasia and adenoma of the liver together represent approximately 2% of all primary hepatic tumors and tumor-like lesions in childhood. This study reports the clinical and pathologic features of focal nodular hyperplasia in three children, all females between 27 months and 15 years of age with asymptomatic hepatomegaly. In contrast, massive hemoperitoneum from a ruptured, hemorrhagic mass was the presentation of the hepatic adenoma in a 14-year-old girl. There was no history of administration of steroids in these four children. Angiography in two cases (one case each of focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatic adenoma) revealed hypervascular lesions with abnormal tortuous vessels suggesting a malignant tumor. Pathologically, the adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasias were readily distinguishable and the necessity for this differentiation was reviewed. All four patients are currently doing well.