Resolution of medically resistant hypothyroidism after liver transplantation for hepatic hemangioendothelioma.
Hepatic hemangioendothelioma (HHE) is a rare vascular tumor in neonates and may cause high-output cardiac failure and coagulopathy, and rarely has been associated with hypothyroidism. Hepatic hemangioendothelioma treatment options consist of corticosteroids, alpha-interferon, surgical resection, and liver transplantation. Herein, we report the case of a 6-week-old female neonate that presented with an HHE that involved all segments of the liver, resulting in respiratory failure and severe hypothyroidism that was recalcitrant to exogenous L-thyroxine therapy. After failure of medical and supportive therapy for the HHE, the patient underwent a cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation that resulted in successful treatment of the severe hypothyroidism, respiratory failure, and cardiac symptoms. The patient is currently 1-year posttransplantation and disease free with normal thyroid function.
Lee
Timothy C
TC
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Barshes
Neal R
NR
Agee
Erin E
EE
O'Mahony
Christine A
CA
Karpen
Saul J
SJ
Carter
Beth A
BA
Bristow
Jaymee D
JD
Goss
John A
JA
D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D012074:Remission Induction; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology