Hepatic adenoma associated with portasystemic shunting in a young woman

The development of a hepatic adenoma is described in a young female of reproductive age who had documented portasystemic shunting and hyperestrogenemia. The intrinsic hyperestrogenemia and the increased hepatic arterial blood flow, both of which occurred as a result of the portasystemic shunting secondary to portal venous obstruction, may have been important factors in the development of her hepatic tumor. We would postulate that prolonged endogenous hyperestrogenemia, like exogenous sex steroids, may predispose to hepatic adenoma formation.