Hepatic Angiomyolipoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare primary liver tumor.
• It comprises variable proportions of fat, smooth muscle, and blood vessels.
• HAML typically represents a benign proliferation but can pose diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

• A 50-year-old female presented with mild abdominal pain attributed to a small HAML.
• Radiographic imaging mimicked hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• Histopathological examination of a liver biopsy confirmed the HAML diagnosis.

Findings:

• The HAML initially showed characteristics similar to HCC on imaging.
• The patient underwent radiological monitoring followed by surgical resection due to tumor growth.
• Post-operative follow-up at 3 months revealed no recurrence.

Implications:

• This case underscores the necessity of histologic confirmation for HAML when imaging features are suggestive.
• Diverse differential diagnoses exist for HAML, necessitating careful evaluation.
• Surgical resection is the primary treatment for symptomatic or growing HAML.