Jose Angel Jiménez, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Clara Roque-Pages MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Laura Castro, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Juan Carlos Quintero, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David Hernandez-Morales, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guillem Pintos, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To describe several uncommon space-occupying liver lesions that can be seen in pediatric patients as transient focal images. To report the main imaging findings seen on ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To advise a prudent follow-up of these lesions with spontaneous involution, saving an interventional or invasive procedure.

A total of 12 patients who underwent imaging evaluation in our tertiary center during the last 10 years were decided to be prospectively evaluated and followed by Ultrasound (US). US examination was mainly performed using a Sequoia 512 or an Aspen (Siemens-Acuson). Most patients have at least one examination using either CT and/or MR imaging.

Our series included type 1 hereditary tyrosinemia (n=3) in therapy with 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC), with hepatic nodules and high levels of alfa fetoprotein and resolution after 2-3 years; inflammatory pseudotumor (n=2); hemangioblastoma (n=2); adenoma associated with bone marrow aplasia in strogenic therapy (n=1); hepatic infarcts following infection of umbilical catheters (n=2); hepatic tuberculous granuloma (n=1), and traumatic contusions (n=2). All patients were periodically scanned by US and interval timing resolution and different imaging appearances will be presented with teaching purposes.

Several rare focal liver lesions can disappear during the radiological follow-up, using either US, CT and/or MRI. An adequate differential diagnosis requires the knowledge of the diseases that can cause these peculiar transient or vanishing lesions in pediatric patients.

It seems prudent to follow-up these uncommon vanishing hepatic lesions in pediatric patients with non ionizing imaging techniques, such as US or MRI, obviating invasive procedures.

Jiménez, J, Roque-Pages, C, Castro, L, Quintero, J, Hernandez-Morales, D, Pintos, G, Vanishing Liver Lesions in Infants and Children: Imaging Diagnosis and Follow-up.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5015478.html