All issues > Volume 48(6); 2005

Case Report

Korean J Pediatr. 2005;48(6):660-664. Published online June 15, 2005.

A Case of Infantile Hemangioendothelioma of the Liver Treated with Hepatic Embolization and Lobectomy

Jae Seon JS Kim¹, Soo Kyung SK Moon¹, Hye Sun HS Yoon¹, Tae Seok TS Lee²

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Hye Sun HS Yoon ,Email: yhs3211@eulji.or.kr

Abstract

Infantile hemangioendothelioma(IHE) of the liver is the most common vascular tumor in infants before the age of 6 months. It is a histologically benign tumor with potentially life-threatening complications. The clinical manifestations are variable, ranging from asymptomatic forms to intractable high-output heart failure. In addition, abdominal mass, intraperitoneal hemorrhage due to rupture of mass, respiratory distress, hematologic abnormalities and jaundice can occur. Diagnostic work-up is through doppler ultrasound sonography, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Treatment consists of medical treatment, interventional therapy, surgical resection and liver transplantation. We experienced symptomatic IHE in a premature neonate who presented with high output heart failure and respiratory distress. Initial medical treatment and steroid therapy failed to improve his condition. Coil embolization of left hepatic artery resulted in improvement of respiratory symptoms. However, a left lobectomy was performed because the mass size was not decreased with development of collateral vessels. The infant was well, after a successful discharge from the hospital.

Keywords :Infantile hemangioendothelioma , Coil embolization , Lobectomy , Liver