Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver:a report of 18 cases

Abstract

Objective To summarize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver. Methods Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical manifestations,imagings, laboratory tests, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of 18 consecutive cases finally established as NRH during the past 26 years. Results 15 of the 18 cases showed portal hypertension, 4 cases showed mono or multiple occupations of the liver, 8 cases suffered from concurrent autoimmune diseases, 3 cases were suspected of blood diseases. Preoperatively, 13 cases were diagnosed as cirrhosis, 2 cases were diagnosed as liver cancer or focal nodular hyperplasia ( FNH). All cases were diagnosed by operative wedging biopsy. 3 cases received splenectomy, 4 cases received disconnection /Phemister surgery, 3 cases received liver occupation/liver lobe resection, 1 case received partial small bowel resection, and 1 case received spleen artery restrictive surgery. Postoperatively, symptoms of portal hypertension relieved obviously. Follow-up study showed most of the patients were stable and prognosis of the NRH was good.Conclusions NRH may relate to the disturbance of liver blood supply, and most common clinical manifestation is portal hypertension, and can combine with immune diseases, hematopathy also can present single or multiple liver occupations. Differential diagnoses include liver cirrhosis, FNH, idiopathic portal hypertension. Diagnosis of NRH relies on liver wedging biopsy. Surgery can relive concurrent portal hypertension. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Focal nodular hyperplasia