Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in a child complicated by haemorrhage

Abstract

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma (UES) of the liver is a rare malignant neoplasm that mostly affects children younger than 15 years of age. We report a patient with UES in the right lobe that was complicated by haemorrhage after needle biopsy. The tumour was managed by embolization of the right hepatic artery and treated successfully with chemotherapy and surgical resection. Prophylactic embolization of the feeding artery should be undertaken before a biopsy procedure if there is the possibility of tumour rupture, in the presence of signs of intratumoral or peritumoral bleeding, or in the presence of a vascular liver mass.