Clinical Analysis of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the Liver in 11 Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical features of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and investigate its diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Eleven patients with FNH treated from January 1997 to January 2007 were analyzed. The clinical findings of pathologically proven FNH were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among the eleven patients with 18 masses, the mean age was 29.5 (11~57) and the gender ratio (malefemale) was 47. Four patients had clinical symptoms. Six patients had a solitary mass and five had multiple masses. The mean tumor diameter was 2.73 +/- 1.82 cm. The overall rate of a correct preoperative diagnosis was 0% (0/4) by ultrasound, 36.3% (4/11) by CT and 20.0% (2/10) by MRI. Only two patients had a central stellate scar in the mass. All patients underwent hepatic resection without complication. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the combination of Dynamic CT and dual contrast MRI are important diagnostic methods for FNH. However, a definite preoperative diagnosis of FNH, without a central stellate scar, is very difficult. Surgical resection is recommended for patients with an uncertain diagnosis or clinical symptoms.