Hepatocellular Adenoma Presenting as a Focal Liver Lesion in Cirrhosis

Hepatocellular adenoma is a benign neoplasm that almost always occurs in a histologically normal liver. We report the finding of a hepatocellular adenoma in the cirrhotic liver of a 56year-old female patient. A hypervascular nodule was detected by computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted as part of a pre-transplant evaluation. The patient subsequently underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for a diagnosis of decompensated cirrhosis and suspected hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathological findings of the explant liver were consistent with adenoma in the setting of liver cirrhosis. We discuss the imaging findings and differential diagnosis, particularly in relation to a background of liver cirrhosis. We review the clinical situations when the diagnosis of adenoma can be supported, even in the setting of cirrhosis. Categories: Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Oncology