Natural course of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: A long-term follow-up study with sonography

✍ Scribed by Yuan-Hung Kuo; Jing-Houng Wang; Sheng-Nan Lu; Chao-Hung Hung; Yu-Ching Wei; Tsung-Hui Hu; Chien-Hung Chen; Yi-Hao Yen; Chuan-Mo Lee; Hock-Liew Eng

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 247 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0091-2751
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20533

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose.

We aimed to investigate the natural course of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a long‐term follow‐up study with sonography.

Method.

This study comprised 30 patients (24 women and 6 men) with 34 FNHs. Diagnosis of FNH was made using color Doppler sonography, contrast‐enhanced CT, or MRI in combination with needle biopsy. Patients were followed every 3 to 6 months with sonography. Regression or progression of tumor was defined as a change of over 30% in maximal diameter. Disappearance was defined as no vizualization of the tumor on at least 3 follow‐up sonographic examinations.

Results.

Thirty‐four FNHs were followed over a mean period of 42 months (range, 7–95 months). Twenty‐four lesions (70.6%) were stable in size, 1 (2.9%) progressed, and 9 (26.5%) regressed. Of those that regressed, 6 (17.6%) disappeared over a mean period of 59 ± 30 months (range, 20–95 months). Older age (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02–1.56; p < 0.05) and longer follow‐up time (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.21; p < 0.05) were the independent factors associated with complete regression of FNH.

Conclusion.

Most FNHs were stable or regressed/disappeared after a long follow‐up period. Based on the benign course, conservative treatment for asymptomatic FNH should be advocated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2009.