Hepatic Adenoma Associated with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Therapy in a Patient with Turner’s Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Turner’s syndrome is a genetic disorder of females with well-described karyotypic abnormalities and phenotypic features. Recombinant human growth hormone (HGH) therapy is one component of a hormonal treatment strategy for these patients and is used to promote sexual maturity and to increase height. Methods: Literature review of hepatic complications following the initiation of growth hormone therapy for patients with Turner’s syndrome, and case report presentation of a 13-year-old female with Turner’s syndrome developing a hepatic adenoma following 3 years of HGH treatment. Results: The association between Turner’s syndrome and HGH treatment-associated hepatic adenoma has not been described previous to this report. In this patient, surgical resection was contraindicated and the patient was successfully treated by hepatic artery embolization. The unique management issues relating to this case, and a possible association between HGH therapy and the development of hepatic adenoma are discussed. Conclusion: This work represents the first documentation of a hepatic adenoma developing in a patient with Turner’s syndrome following HGH treatment, and suggests a novel and causal association between HGH treatment and the development of hepatic adenoma in patients with Turner’s syndrome.