Homotransplantation of the liver in a patient with hepatoma and hereditary tyrosinemia.

A girl with hereditary tyrosinemia, diagnosed at 6 months of age, was treated with a diet restricted in phenylalanine and tyrosine. At 9 1/2 years of age she developed an acutely enlarged liver and spleen, and the diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma was made. The patient received a liver transplant and tyrosine metabolites became normal while she was receiving a regular diet. Three months later, an infected thrombosis of the portal vein caused her death. Liver transplant appears to be an effective method of enzyme replacement in tyrosinemia and should be considered for prevention of hepatoma.