Radiological spectrum of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma in children.
OBJECTIVE
A hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma is an uncommon benign tumor in children and little is known about the spectrum of its radiological features. The purpose of this study is to describe the spectrum of radiological features of a hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma in children.


METHODS
Thirteen children with a pathologically confirmed hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma (M:F = 7:6; mean age, 3 years 2 months) were included in our study. Ultrasonography (US) was performed in nine patients including color and power Doppler US (n = 7). CT scans were performed in all patients. We evaluated the imaging findings of the hepatic mesenchymal hamartomas and the corresponding pathological features.


RESULTS
Each patient had a single tumor (mean diameter: 13 cm [1.8-20 cm]). On CT and/or US, four patients (31%) had a "multiseptated cystic tumor", five patients (38%) had a "mixed solid and cystic tumor", and four patients (31%) had a "solid tumor." The septa of the cystic portion were thin in the multiseptated cystic tumors and irregularly thick in the mixed solid and cystic tumors as seen on US. On a post-contrast CT scan, solid portions or thick septa of the tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement. The amount of hepatocytes was significantly different among the three tumor groups according to the imaging spectrum (p = 0.042).


CONCLUSIONS
A hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma in children can show a wide spectrum of radiological features, from a multiseptated cystic tumor to a mixed solid and cystic tumor, and even a solid tumor.
Kim
Soung Hee
SH
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Woo Sun
WS
Cheon
Jung-Eun
JE
Yoon
Hye-Kyung
HK
Kang
Gyeong Hoon
GH
Kim
In-One
IO
Yeon
Kyung Mo
KM
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media