Choledochal Cyst vs. Hemangioendothelioma of the Liver

Choledochal Cyst vs. Hemangioendothelioma of the Liver

Left picture: The diagnosis of this newborn is an infantile type of a choledochal cyst, the clinical presentations of which are hepatomegaly, icterus and acholic stools. The additional picture at the bottom shows the operative findings of a teenager with a choledochal cyst; in this case the clinical presentation was that of an adult type of choledochal cyst with intermittent icterus, vague abdominal pain and palpable cystic upper abdominal tumor. Right picture: This young infant has a hemangioendothelioma which is a relatively benign liver tumor and shows a difficult histological differentiation from hamartoma or hemangiosarcoma. The liver preparation of the hemangioendothelioma in the picture at the bottom shows typical multiple small nodes.

A too large belly is visible in the newborn and the young infant. In both cases the navel lies far away from the process of the sternum. Left picture: The volume of the upper abdomen is homogeneously increased and the palpable mass is firm. There is a moderate icterus of the newborn, and the stools are only poorly colored. Right picture: The mass which is firm on palpation protrudes distinctly in the whole upper abdomen. Neither icterus and nor acholic stools are present.