Hepatic angiomyolipoma: a retrospective study of 25 cases.
OBJECTIVE
We report our experience of diagnosing and treating hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML), a rare benign mesenchymal tumor.


METHODS
We analyzed retrospectively the clinicopathologic, radiological, and operative data of 25 patients who underwent surgery for HAML at our institute between November 2001 and May 2006.


RESULTS
Most patients (20/25) were asymptomatic and had normal liver function. Ultrasonography (US) showed a heterogeneous hyperechoic mass in 13 of 23 patients, precontrast computed tomography (CT) showed that all of 12 lesions scanned were hypodense, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images in most (5/6) lesions. Marked enhancement in the arterial phase was seen in 10 of 12 lesions on CT scans and in 6 of 6 lesions on MRI scans. All tumors were composed of varying proportions of smooth muscle, adipose tissue, and blood vessels, and showed positive immunohistochemical staining for HMB-45. All patients underwent partial hepatectomy and there was no evidence of recurrence after a median follow-up of 43 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The radiological features of HAML vary according to its histological components. The definitive diagnosis of HAML is challenging and depends on the presence of HMB-45-positive myoid cells. Hepatic angiomyolipoma is treated effectively with surgery and the prognosis is good.
Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China.
Tao
T
Li
Lu
L
Wang
Hai-Hua
HH
Yu
Hui-Chuan
HC
Sun
Lun-Xiu
LX
Qin
Qing-Hai
QH
Ye
Jia
J
Fan
Zhao-You
ZY
Tang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins