[Angiomyolipoma of the liver].
METHODS
A 66-year-old woman, known for 4 years to have a space-occupying lesion in the liver thought to be a lipoma, was admitted because the increasing size of the mass. She was hypertensive and had recurrent supraventricular tachycardia, but was otherwise asymptomatic and physical examination was unremarkable.


METHODS
Laboratory tests were within normal limits. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a well-circumscribed, echodense space-occupying lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hyperintense encapsulated tumour with contrast-medium enhancement.


METHODS
Because the imaging tests were equivocal, a segmental liver resection was performed to exclude malignancy. Histological examination revealed an angiomyolipoma of the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiolipoma is a benign mixed-cell tumour that very rarely affects the liver but must be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic space-occupying lesions. Its manifestations may be highly variable and histological examination is required if there is any uncertainty about possible malignancy. If the biopsy is diagnostic of a benign lesion, expectant observation with regular monitoring is indicated.
Block
S
S
Medizinische Klinik II, Städtisches Klinikum Pforzheim.
Theilmann
L
L
D000368:Aged; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography