Diagnostic Dilemma

Hepatosplenomegaly


Author:
Question
A 3-year-old born of non-consanguineous marriage presented with progressive abdominal distension after 4 months of age. There was no bleeding, seizures, or jaundice. They consulted a physician for the abdominal distension and an ultrasound of the abdomen was done which showed large hepatomegaly. The child was subsequently referred for further management. She was immunized to date and had received Hepatitis B Vaccine also and was on a regular full diet. Milestones were normal. On examination, weight was 12 kg, height was 87 cm. She had doll’s facies and large hepatomegaly with splenomegaly. Other systems were normal. Investigations showed:
• Hemoglobin = 9.8 gm/dl
• WBC count = 6,700/cumm (12% polymorphs, 85% lymphocytes, 3% eosinophils)
• Platelet count = 6,40,000/cumm
• Bilirubin = 0.7 mg/dl
• SGOT = 87 IU/L
• SGPT = 28 IU/L
• Total proteins = 6.9 gm/dl, Albumin = 3.6 gm/dl
• Alkaline phosphatase = Normal
• Prothrombin Time, Partial thromboplastin time = Normal
• Random blood sugar = 106 mg/dl
• Ultrasound abdomen = Gross hepatomegaly
• Serum lactate = 85.6 mg/dl (elevated).
• Fundus = Normal

What is the diagnosis?
Expert Opinion :
This child has presented with progressive hepatomegaly since infancy and has Doll’s facies. However, the child never has had jaundice. Thus one must consider a differential diagnosis of a storage disorder or hepatoblastoma. Hepatoblastoma normally comes with a huge liver, markedly elevated alpha-fetoprotein, and jaundice. Untreated, it may cause mortality. In this child, she has remained asymptomatic and has never had jaundice or clinical deterioration, thus hepatoblastoma seems unlikely. Among, the storage disorders, one must consider possibilities of Glycogen storage disease (GSD), Niemann Pick’s disease, and Gangliosidosis Type I & II (GM1 & GM2). GSD is characterized by large hepatomegaly, Doll’s facies, and recurrent hypoglycemic episodes. However hypoglycemic episodes may not always be there if the child is taking frequent feeds. GM1 & GM2 & Niemann Pick’s disease has hepatosplenomegaly with a cherry-red spot on funduscopy and delayed development. In this child, development is normal and the cherry-red spot is absent. Gaucher’s disease is characterized by massive splenomegaly and thus is unlikely. Thus, one may consider GSD in this patient. Other evidence for GSD is high lactate and neutropenia which is seen in GSD type 1b. A liver biopsy will prove the diagnosis. For GM1 & GM2 & Niemann Pick’s disease, bone marrow examination is required. In this child, liver biopsy showed glycogen-laden vacuoles in liver parenchyma suggestive of Glycogen storage disease.
Answer Discussion :
S
sherif hamdi abdelazim
bubble
Von Gierke disease (type 1 glycogen storage dis.)
Doll shaped face +hepatomegaly, splenomegaly +increased lactate
Expectedhyperlipedemia
Hyperurecemia
Hypoglycemia

6 months ago
A
anulika chiemela
bubble
GSD TYPE1
6 months ago

View More Comments

Disclaimer: The information given by www.pediatriconcall.com is provided by medical and paramedical & Health providers voluntarily for display & is meant only for informational purpose. The site does not guarantee the accuracy or authenticity of the information. Use of any information is solely at the user's own risk. The appearance of advertisement or product information in the various section in the website does not constitute an endorsement or approval by Pediatric Oncall of the quality or value of the said product or of claims made by its manufacturer.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0