Contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic findings of serum amyloid A-positive hepatocellular neoplasm: Does hepatocellular adenoma arise in cirrhotic liver?

Abstract

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) was recently classified into four pathological subtypes. There have been few studies describing the findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of each type. Our case concerns a 78-year-old man who had undergone routine medical check-ups for hepatitis C for 11 years. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a 28 mm, hypo-echoic mass in the segment 4 of the liver. His integrating amount of drinking was 670 kg convert into ethanol. CEUS with Sonazoid demonstrated mild uniform hypo-enhancement with inflow of microbubbles from the periphery of the tumor in the arterial phase, and heterogeneously hypo-enhancement in the post vascular phase. Because the mass increased in size within 3 mo, a well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma was suspected, and hepatic resection was performed. Microscopic findings showed homogeneous cell proliferation with low grade atypia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, ductular reactions, fatty deposit in part, and sinusoidal dilation. Immunohistochemistry revealed geographic positive for serum amyloid A (SAA), focal positive for glutamine synthetase, diffuse and strong positive for C-reactive protein, and positive for liver-type fatty acid binding protein. These pathological features corresponded to that of an inflammatory HCA. However, we could not make a clear diagnosis, because HCAs were defined as not to arise in cirrhotic liver. Finally, this tumor was diagnosed as a SAA positive hepatocellular neoplasm.

Keywords: Hepatocellular adenoma; Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; Serum amyloid A; Serum amyloid A-positive hepatocellular neoplasms; Alcoholic cirrhosis

Core tip: Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) was classified into four pathological subtypes. And HCA usually arises in the absence of significant fibrosis. Recently, some reports about serum amyloid A (SAA) positive hepatocellular neoplasm were published. All tumors shared features with inflammatory HCA arising in alcoholic cirrhosis. We describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic findings of SAA positive HCA.