Sonographic features of hepatic adenomas with pathologic correlation.
BACKGROUND
We compared the sonographic characteristics of hepatic adenomas with pathologic findings.


METHODS
Information over 10 years was collected on 12 patients (six men, six women; mean age = 47 years) with surgically proven hepatic adenomas. Clinical data, sonographic features, and histopathologic findings were reviewed.


RESULTS
The tumors in males were smaller and simpler than those in women (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Four of the six larger tumors (>5 cm) showed mixed-echoic patterns corresponding with pathologically intratumoral hemorrhage and necrosis. Four homogeneously hypoechoic tumors had less change in tumor composition. Three homogeneously hyperechoic tumors had evident fatty changes inside. One isoechoic tumor had a hypoechoic rim, that correlated mostly to the tumor itself and compressed liver parenchyma. Seven of the 12 tumors had thin fibrous capsules that were not seen on sonography.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic adenomas have variable sonographic appearances depending on changes in the tumor. Hypoechoic, hyperechoic, and mixed-echoic patterns represent simple adenoma, adenoma with fatty metamorphosis, and hemorrhagic necrosis, respectively, in tumors.
Hung
C H
CH
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung 833, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Changchien
C S
CS
Lu
S N
SN
Eng
H L
HL
Wang
J H
JH
Lee
C M
CM
Hsu
C C
CC
Tung
H D
HD
D018248:Adenoma, Liver Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography