[Therapeutic problems caused by rupture of large hepatic adenoma with central location. Apropos of 3 cases]

We report three cases of young female patients (26, 30, 36 years) with intraperitoneal hemorrhage associated with a rupture of a liver cell adenoma. Their topography was central or with central extension. Three patients had taken oral contraceptives, for a period of 10 years, before diagnosis in two cases and for only three weeks in the remaining patient. The diagnosis of hemoperitoneum from a liver tumor was established on initial symptoms and ultra sonographic examination. Angiography and CT were the most valuable investigations. The control of hemorrhage was obtained by hepatic artery ligation (2 cases) and angiographic embolization (1 case). We observed one patient with liver adenomatosis, uncommon lesion consisting of numerous adenomas in an otherwise normal hepatic parenchyma. In emergency major hepatic resection for an adenoma, in central localization, is too a high risk procedure for a benign tumor. Control of hemorrhage should be the aim of treatment, best achieved by alternative treatment, such as hepatic artery ligation of angiographic embolization, highly effective in our experience. Resection may be delayed for a residual tumor.