A CASE OF HEPATIC ANGIOMYOLIPOMA

Abstract

A case of hepatic angiomyolipoma is reported. A 50-year-old male was pointed out to have a liver tumor by screening physical examination. Abdominal ultrasonography showed an about 6 cm in diameter, well-demarcated tumor-like lesion of high luminescence in the lateral-segment of the liver. Abdominal CT showed the lesion as a low-density area. Angiography of the celiac artery revealed laterality of branch of the left hepatic artery and a tumor stain slightly. The tumor was initially suspected to be a hepatic angiomyolipoma, but a possibility of liver cell carcinoma undergoing fatty deneration could not be denied. Lateral-segmentectomy of the liver was performed. Pathohistological examination led to a diagnosis of hepatic angiomyolipoma with thin capsule and without malignant finding. Angiomyolipoma occurred in the liver is exceedingly rare, only 14 cases having been reported so far in Japan. This case had characteristic images and no malignant case has been reported, however, some are difficult to distinguish from liver cell carcinoma undergoing fatty degeneration. In such cases histological examination of the operative specimen can first offer the definitive diagnosis, for which the surgical resection would be mandatory.