Natural course of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: a long-term follow-up study with sonography.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the natural course of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a long-term follow-up study with sonography.


METHODS
This study comprised 30 patients (24 women and 6 men) with 34 FNHs. Diagnosis of FNH was made using color Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced CT, or MRI in combination with needle biopsy. Patients were followed every 3 to 6 months with sonography. Regression or progression of tumor was defined as a change of over 30% in maximal diameter. Disappearance was defined as no vizualization of the tumor on at least 3 follow-up sonographic examinations.


RESULTS
Thirty-four FNHs were followed over a mean period of 42 months (range, 7-95 months). Twenty-four lesions (70.6%) were stable in size, 1 (2.9%) progressed, and 9 (26.5%) regressed. Of those that regressed, 6 (17.6%) disappeared over a mean period of 59 +/- 30 months (range, 20-95 months). Older age (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.56; p < 0.05) and longer follow-up time (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.21; p < 0.05) were the independent factors associated with complete regression of FNH.


CONCLUSIONS
Most FNHs were stable or regressed/disappeared after a long follow-up period. Based on the benign course, conservative treatment for asymptomatic FNH should be advocated.
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung 833 Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Yuan-Hung
YH
Kuo
Jing-Houng
JH
Wang
Sheng-Nan
SN
Lu
Chao-Hung
CH
Hung
Yu-Ching
YC
Wei
Tsung-Hui
TH
Hu
Chien-Hung
CH
Chen
Yi-Hao
YH
Yen
Chuan-Mo
CM
Lee
Hock-Liew
HL
Eng
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media