Are imaging features of hepatic angiomyolipoma related to its clinical setting?

This study consisted of 10 patients (three male and seven female) with hepatic angiomyolipoma, with a mean age of 55.1 years (age range, 19-78 years). Of these patients, dynamic contrast CT showed hepatic angiomyolipoma as a hypervascular mass with intratumoral fatty density, absence of a capsule, and prominent central vessels in six sporadic cases, and multiple, small hepatic angiomyolipomas, with or without a fat component in four cases with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and multiple hepatic angiomyolipomas were found in one patient with TSC.

The results suggest that imaging features of hepatic angiomyolipoma are correlated closely with its clinical setting. Sporadic hepatic angiomyolipoma often presents as a solitary large nodule with a varying fat component. In the setting of TSC, hepatic angiomyolipoma often presents as multiple small nodules, with or without fatty tissue, in the peripheral liver. Dynamic CT features of hepatic angiomyolipoma are very characteristic, and correct diagnosis can be made in combination with clinical features. When coexisting intravascular lesions and hepatic angiomyolipomas are found in patients with TSC, LAM should be considered.

Reference: Yang B, Chen WH, Li QY, Xiang JJ, Xu RJ. Hepatic angiomyolipoma: Dynamic computed tomography features and clinical correlation. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(27): 3417-3420

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/3417.asp

Correspondence to: Dr. Bin Yang, Department of Radiology, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China. yb1974126@sina.com

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