FOCAL NODULAR HYPERPLASIA OF THE LIVER IN CHILDREN - REVIEW OF FOLLOW-UP AND OUTCOME

The authors used a conservative approach to treat focal nodular hyperp lasia of the liver (FNH) and were interested in the long-term results of different therapeutic approaches in order to establish the most app ropriate treatment. A review of the literature was conducted, and 31 p ediatric case reports were identified in which follow-up and outcome d ata were noted. Tumor resection was performed in 18 cases (58%), opera tive biopsy alone in nine (29%), vascular ligation in two, and emboliz ation oi hepatic arteries in two. The outcome appears to he good for b oth groups of patients, ie, those with observation alone and those wit h resection. More information is to be collected regarding the new pro cedures (embolization and ligation). This is a retrospective analysis, and data from future international prospective studies are needed. Co pyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company.