A CASE OF FOCAL NODULAR HYPERPLASIA OF THE LIVER PROBABLY CAUSED BY LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE

Abstract

We experienced a case of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), which is a tumor-like lesion of the liver. A 43-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of left hypochondralgia. Abdominal echography, CT, and MRI visualized a tumor in the left lateral segment of the hepatic lobe. A possible malignancy could not be denied and excision of the lesion was carried out. From histopathological examination the tumor was diagnosed as FNH of the liver. Recently, attention is called to administration of female hormone preparation as a probable etiologic factor for heaptic FNH. There was a 10-year history of taking an oral contraceptive for the treatment of dysmenorrhea in this patient. It is strongly suggested that hepatic FNH may be related to long-term administration of the oral contraceptive.