Focal nodular hyperplasia: a rare benign liver tumour in early childhood without predisposing factors

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a rare benign hepatic lesion in children, particularly under 5 years of age. Most paediatric liver tumours in this age group are malignant, making an accurate diagnosis essential. We report a case of FNH involving the left hepatic lobe in a healthy child with no prior history of liver disease, chemotherapy or systemic illness. The child presented with a gradually enlarging abdominal mass and early satiety. Imaging with contrast-enhanced triple-phase CT demonstrated classical features of FNH, including arterial enhancement and a central scar. Due to the lesion’s large size and associated symptoms, a left lateral segmentectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of FNH. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remains well on long-term follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of FNH in early childhood and the importance of considering benign hepatic lesions in the differential diagnosis of paediatric liver masses.