Hepatic angiomyolipoma. A case report with review of the literature

Abstract

Hepatic angiomyolipoma in a 59-year-old woman is reported. The tumor was located at the lower edge of the left lobe of the liver, measured 3 x 2 x 2 cm, and appeared solid. Histologically, it consisted of abundant blood vessels of varying caliber, mature fat cells, and round, spindle-shaped or epithelioid interstitial cells. The latter were considered to be of smooth muscle origin, because myofilamentous structures were demonstrated ultrastructurally in the cytoplasm and because they were positive for desmin by the PAP method. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of angiomyolipoma was confirmed. A review of the literature revealed only 15 cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma. From a clinicopathological viewpoint, a comparison was made between hepatic angiomyolipoma and its more frequent renal counterpart. The hepatic tumor is considered to be a kind of hamartoma.