Open Access

ARTICLE

Focal liver lesions following Fontan palliation of single ventricle physiology: A radiology‐pathology case series

Emily M. Engelhardt¹, Andrew T. Trout^2,3, Rachel M. Sheridan⁴, Gruschen R. Veldtman⁵, Jonathan R. Dillman^2,3

1 University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
2 Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
3 Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
4 Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
5 Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, Heart Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

* Corresponding Author: Andrew T. Trout, MD, Department of Radiology, MLC 5031, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229. Email:

Congenital Heart Disease 2019, 14(3), 380-388. https://doi.org/10.1111/chd.12730

Abstract

Purpose: Patients who have undergone Fontan palliation of single ventricle physiol‐ ogy congenital heart disease are prone to developing focal liver lesions. In our experi‐ ence, the variety of lesions occurring in this population is greater than that described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to describe the breadth of biopsy‐ proven liver lesions in patients post–Fontan palliation of single ventricle physiology cared for at our institution.
Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who had previously undergone the Fontan operation and had a focal liver lesion biopsied between January 2000 and June 2018. Medical records were reviewed for lesion pathology, background liver findings, pertinent laboratory data, and demographic data. CT and MRI images were reviewed to describe imaging findings of the reported lesions.
Results: Twelve patients met inclusion criteria; 58% (7/12) of which were female. Fifteen lesions were biopsied including four macroregenerative/benign hepatocellu‐ lar hyperplastic nodules, two hepatocellular adenomas, two hepatocellular carcino‐ mas, two intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (in the same patient), one venous malformation, and one focus of vascularized scar tissue. Two additional lesions in patients postcardiac transplant were posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
Conclusion: Patients who have undergone Fontan palliation of single ventricle physi‐ ology are prone to develop a variety of liver lesions, both benign and malignant.

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