Huge focal nodular hyperplasia presenting in a 6-year-old child

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign lesion of the liver which is usually found in healthy adults, however, FNH is rare in children, and comprises only 2% of all pediatric liver tumors. Herein, we report the case of a 6-year-old child (male) with a huge FNH which size is more than 10cm. This could be the biggest FNH among all children's FNH cases ever reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old boy was found a hepatic space-occupying lesion two years ago. As the time went by, the lesion became bigger gradually. The last CT examination showed the size of the tumor to be 10.5×9.9cm in the right hepatic lobe. This child underwent surgical resection of the tumor which was confirmed as FNH (11×8×7cm) by pathology. CONCLUSION: FNH is a benign lesion of the liver, and it is characterized by hepatocyte hyperplasia and a central stellate scar. It is uncommon for FNH to be diagnosed in children. Such huge FNH (about 11cm) is extremely rare. Surgical operation may be the effective method to cure huge FNH.