Diagnosis and treatment of hepatic angiomyolipoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hepatic angiomyolipoma is more frequently encountered in clinical practice, its diagnosis is difficult, its treatment remains controversial. We review a single-center experience in the treatment of hepatic angiomyolipoma.

METHOD

The clinical data of 79 patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma treated at the authors' institute between January 1992 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

During a period of 15 years, a total of 79 patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma underwent liver resection at our hospital. There are 58 women and 21 men. The tumor size varied from 1 to 25 cm in diameter (6.1 ± 4.08). Fifty-four patients (68%) were asymptomatic. Accurate preoperative diagnosis was made in 41 patients (52%). Tumors less than 6 cm in size were more frequently misdiagnosed. Spontaneous rupture occurred in one patient. One patient had tumor recurrence 6 years after the surgery, and died of the disease 1 year later. Symptom relief was achieved in 92% of the symptomatic patients. Median survival was 90 months (90.12 ± 30.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic angiomyolipoma poses a diagnostic challenge clinically and radiologically. Surgical resection is a safe and effective treatment option. It is important to realize the potential of malignant transformation and risk of rupture as life-threatening complications.