Giant pedunculated hepatoblastoma mimicking neuroblastoma in a 4-month-old infant: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundHepatoblastoma is the most common primary malignancy of hepatic origin in children, with an estimated incidence of 0.5–1.5 per million children. Hepatoblastoma classically has an intraparenchymal location, and pedunculated hepatoblastoma is a relatively rare entity. Accurate diagnosis can be challenging due to its extrahepatic location and possibly its thin peduncle, which is not easily identified in imaging.Case presentationHere, we report a case of asymptomatic giant palpable hepatoblastoma in the LUQ of a four-month-old male infant, initially suspected of neuroblastoma based on abdominal ultrasound findings. The final diagnosis of giant pedunculated hepatoblastoma was made based on the abdominal CT scan and the diagnosis was confirmed by percutaneous biopsy. Due to the size of the tumor, complete removal of the tumor was not initially possible. Therefore, the patient was treated with several courses of chemotherapy. The tumor was shrunk and then completely removed. The patient was treated, and no complications were found in the 6-month follow-up.ConclusionPedunculated hepatoblastoma is rare but should be considered as a possibility in the case of a perihepatic mass in a pediatric patient that can be confused with other upper abdominal masses such as an adrenal mass. Therefore, in such cases, we must look for the vascular pedicle in the imaging and keep the AFP check in mind.