Spontaneous rupture of the liver caused by hepatomas.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent cause of spontaneous rupture of the liver. Most of these cases have been reported from Asia. Recently increasing numbers of benign hepatocellular adenomas have been reported as causes of spontaneous rupture of the liver. Other hepatic lesions associated with spontaneous rupture of the liver include hemangiomas metastatic carcinoma polyarteritis nodosa syphilis malaria tuberculous peritonitis typhoid fever epilepsy intrahepatic aneurysms and bile duct stones. 2 cases in young women are reported. Hepatocellular carcinoma was present in 1 and benign hepatocellular adenoma in the other. The patient with carcinoma had been taking birth control pills for 8 years but the patient with adenoma had not taken oral contraceptives. There was no history of trauma in either case. There may be difficulty in distinguishing a benign hepatocellular adenoma from a hepatocellular carcinoma. Selective arteriography if avilable may be a valuable aid in diagnosis. The treatment of both conditions is as complete a resection of the involved hepatic lobe as possible. The prognosis for cases of carcinoma is poor.