Hepatic angiomyolipoma: a case report with diagnostic challenge

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Surgical Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are rare, benign tumors originating from perivascular epithelioid cells.
• While common in the kidney, hepatic AMLs are infrequent, presenting diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

• A 34-year-old male presented with a large, 15 cm x 7 cm, heterogeneously enhancing liver mass.
• Initial imaging suggested various benign and malignant possibilities.
• Needle biopsy excluded malignancy, but the large size prompted surgical resection.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed the resected liver mass as an angiomyolipoma.
• The tumor was benign, highlighting the importance of accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of hepatic angiomyolipoma is vital to prevent overtreatment of benign liver lesions.
• Histology and immunohistochemistry are key tools for definitive diagnosis in challenging clinical scenarios.