Imaging Diagnosis of Angiomyolipoma of the Liver

Objective To study the imaging features and their pathologic basis of hepatic angiomyolipoma, and to reduce misdiagnosis.Materials and Methods Plain CT scan and ultrasound were performed in 3 patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma. Additional MRI was done in one case. Five lesions were found on CT and ultrasonograph in 3 cases. Of 3 lesions in 2 cases confirmed by pathology, 2 lesions were mistaken preoperatively for hepatic carcinoma or hemangioma. The other case had 2 lipomatous masses in the liver and multiple renal lesions with tuberous sclerosis.Results Hepatic angiomyolipoma demonstrated two characteristic signs. (1) Fatty content within the tumor presented as a hyperechhoic area on ultrasonograph, or a very low density area on CT, or a hyperintense area on T1WI. (2) The lesion showed marked enhancement during hepatic arterial phase, and moderate enhancement during portal phase.Conclusion Hepatic angiomyolipoma can easily be mistaken for other hepatic diseases. Actually, several imaging signs can reflect the composition of the tumor, which are helpful for making a correct diagnosis preoperatively.