Complete resection of hepatoblastoma originating in the caudate lobe: case report and literature review

Hepatoblastoma originating in the caudate lobe is extremely rare, and resection is technically challenging. The aim of this study was to report our experience of complete resection of hepatoblastoma originating in the caudate lobe and review the literature. A 12-month-old boy was admitted for investigation of an upper abdominal mass. Imaging studies showed an irregularly lobulated 8-cm solid tumor in the left lobe of the liver. Serum α-fetoprotein was 67,700 ng/mL. This tumor was diagnosed as hepatoblastoma (PRETEXT II) and chemotherapy (3 courses of CDDP and ADR) was performed. After chemotherapy, the tumor had shrunk to a resectable size and its origin in the caudate lobe could be determined. Left hepatic lobectomy with en bloc resection of the caudate lobe was performed. Total blood loss was 10 mL, and the operation lasted 9 h. His postoperative course was uneventful. Preoperative chemotherapy facilitated complete resection by left hepatic lobectomy with total excision of the caudate lobe.