Living donor liver transplantation for giant cavernous hemangioma of liver in a child

Abstract

A 10-yr-old girl presented with a seven-month history of upper abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Physical examination revealed an abdominal lump in the right hypochondrium and epigastrium. Ultrasound examination and a computerized tomographic scan showed a large lobulated mass arising from segments I, 1V, and VIII of liver with arteriovenous shunting and multiple small masses in segments VI and VII. An initial diagnosis of hemangioendothelioma with metastasis was made elsewhere following which she received chemotherapy. She had persistent abdominal discomfort because of which she became dependent on narcotics. The patient had fever because of tumor necrosis and also developed peripheral neuropathy. Finally, owing to progressively worsening of symptoms, she underwent left lobe living donor liver transplantation. Histopathological examination showed the mass to be a cavernous hemangioma, and the patient is now well.