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Hepatoblastoma in an adolescent girl: A case report


AO Atimati
PO Abiodun
DE Obaseki
OO Olubor

Abstract

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary malignant hepatic tumour in children, occurring between the ages of 6months to 3years. It most often presents with a painless abdominal mass discovered accidentally in young
children. Occurrence in adolescents and adults is rare and is usually
associated with non-specific symptoms which often result in delayed  diagnosis and commencement of treatment. Abdominal pain preceding a rapidly progressive abdominal mass is a common pattern observed in adolescents and adults. The histologic type commonly seen in adults is
associated with a poor prognosis. We report the case of a sixteen year old girl who presented with abdominal pain and distension and jaundice of a short duration. She was well-nourished with marked hepatomegaly and ascites. Hepatic transaminases were highly elevated with deranged clotting profile. She developed features of hepatic encephalopathy and died
on the seventh day of admission. A Post-mortem histologic diagnosis
of hepatoblastoma was made.

Key words: Hepatoblastoma, adolescent, poor prognosis


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eISSN: 0302-4660