Focal nodular hyperplasia in children: An institutional experience with review of the literature

BackgroundFocal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is uncommonly diagnosed in pediatric patients and may be difficult to distinguish from a malignancy. We present a review of all children with a tissue diagnosis of FNH at our institution, describe the diagnostic modalities, and provide recommendations for diagnosis and follow-up based on our experience and review of the literature.MethodsA retrospective review of children < 18 years of age diagnosed with FNH at a single institution was performed from 2000 to 2013.ResultsTwelve patients were identified with a tissue diagnosis of FNH. Two patients required surgical resection of their lesion owing to concern for malignancy. Ten patients were managed expectantly with imaging surveillance after biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of FNH.All patients who underwent MRI had very typical findings including hypointensity on T1 weighted sequences, hyperintensity on T2, and homogenous uptake of contrast on the arterial phase. On follow-up all patients had either a stable lesion or reduction in size.ConclusionsFocal nodular hyperplasia presents typically in children with liver disease, have undergone chemotherapy, and adolescent females. Young children, particularly < 5 years of age, without underlying liver disease or history of chemotherapy can pose a diagnostic dilemma. In this unique subgroup of children with FNH, MRI and/or needle biopsy should be adequate diagnostic modalities for these lesions.