Hepatocellular carcinoma in association with hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To report the association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and the possible impact on clinical decision-making with regard to resective approaches in patients with FNH.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the findings in 77 adult patients who underwent liver resections for FNH between October 1989 and September 2001 at our center. HCC within the confines of FNH was found in two patients. We demonstrate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and macroscopic and microscopic findings.


RESULTS
Presurgical MRI demonstrated heterogeneous signal characteristics of moderately hyperintense FNH on T2-weighted images and, after i.v. administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, HCC in FNH was barely delineable. Both patients underwent successful right hemihepatectomy to remove the suspicious FNH with diameters of 12 and 14 cm; intralesional HCC diameters were 3 and 5 cm, respectively. Patients could be rapidly dismissed. However, one patient died after recurrence of HCC 1.5 years after surgery, whereas the other patient continues tumor-free 4 years after surgery. Alpha-feto-protein was normal in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In FNH with rapid growth tendency and heterogenic MR appearance, surgical removal should be considered to overcome the risk of inadequate therapy in the very rare group of patients with HCC in association with FNH.
Langrehr
J M
JM
Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin, Germany. jan.langrehr@charite.de
Pfitzmann
R
R
Hermann
M
M
Radke
C
C
Neuhaus
P
P
Pech
M
M
Denecke
T
T
Felix
R
R
Hänninen
E L
EL
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010087:Oxides; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide