Benign Hepatic Tumors: From Incidental Imaging Finding to Clinical Management

Fadi Abu Baker, Abdel Rauf Zeina, Saif Abu Mouch, Amir Mari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Benign hepatic tumors (BHTs) are commonly detected as incidental finding mainly due to the frequent utilization of imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Rigorous clinical evaluation, with a particular focus on chronic liver disease (CLD) or risk factors for CLD, medication history, physical examination for signs of CLD, blood tests, and a review of past liver radiology constitute the initial steps in the evaluation of a new liver lesion. Further, contrast-enhanced imaging using US, CT and MRI, can be used depending on the clinical scenario and their availability. The contrast-enhanced MRI provides detailed tissue assessment while avoiding exposure to radiations, although it is scarcely available and expensive. While the liver tissue-specific protocols ensure precise diagnosis, a biopsy is recommended in selected or doubtful cases. Further, most BHTs, such as hemangiomas, are harmless and do not require special management or followup, the hepatic adenomas and large or atypical cases of focal nodular hyperplasia are clinically relevant and require management/follow-up. In such cases, it is favorable to have a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes hepatologist, radiologist, hepatobiliary surgeon, and pathologist. This review aims to elaborate the current understanding of BHTs, and provide a practical guidance for primary care and practitioners of family and internal medicine for the disease evaluation and management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-28
Number of pages27
JournalKorean Journal of Family Medicine
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 The Korean Academy of Family Medicine

Keywords

  • Benign Hepatomas
  • Diagnosis
  • Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
  • Hepatic Adenoma

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