Liver lesions (pediatric)

Pediatric liver lesions are a heterogeneous group that includes infiltrative lesions and those that demonstrate mass-effect. Moreover, they may be solitary or multiple, benign or malignant:

• benign liver tumors
• malignant liver tumors

Epidemiology

There are differing frequencies of both benign and malignant liver masses in children :

• 1-12 months: hemangioma, hamartoma
• 1-10 years: hepatoblastoma (especially <5 years)
• 11-18 years: hepatocellular carcinoma

Practical points

The assessment of a liver mass in a child balances clinical history with biochemical investigation and imaging.

See also

• liver lesions (adult)