Cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver--a rare condition.

Cystic Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign tumour of infancy. Congenital cysts of the liver are of two main types: mesenchymal hamartoma and non parasitic cysts. The latter are encountered frequently while liver hamartomas are rare. The first reported case of mesenchymal hamartoma was that of Maresch in 1903. In 1956 Edmondson reviewed the literature and proposed the term "Mesenchymal Hamartoma" as a new clinical entity. In this paper we are discussing a rare case of cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver, its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, options of management and reviewing the relevant literature.

Blastopathies--symmetrical conjoined twins.

Conjoined twins are one of the rarest blastopathies, challenging the medical profession. The incidence in India is reported to be 1:60,000 pregnancies. This report records two cases of female conjoined twins. The sharing of various organs and complex cardiac anomalies encountered were very fascinating. Omphalopagus conjoined twins had only three lower extremeties, a common gastro-intestinal tract beyond the terminal ileum, crossed ectopia, hypoplastic kidneys and bicornuate uterus. The heart showed dextrocardia, A.S.D. and V.S.D. No attempt was made for surgical separation in this case. The second case was a thoracopagus, with the heart showing V.S.D., cor triatrium dexter with a posterior venous chamber. Surgical separation was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Both cases showed a single fused liver. The need for antenatal diagnosis and successful separation with good pre- and post-operative management is stressed.

Hepatic hemangioendothelioma of infancy with congestive cardiac failure--report of a case.

A case of infantile hemangioendothelioma of the liver is reported in a 18 day-old male neonate. The neonate presented with CHF. He had hepatomegaly, but lacked the third component of the classical triad i.e. cutaneous hemangiomas. The S.A.F.P levels were raised to 920 ng/ml, though rise is rare in infantile hemangioendothelioma and led to the clinical diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. A left hepatic resection was performed, the histology showed a type I pattern of the tumor. This is known to be associated with a good prognosis. The baby is well post resection for a follow up period of six months.