BACKGROUND: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion. The present study aimed to clarify the clinical features of the disease. METHOD: The medical records of 51 patients with histologically confirmed solitary necrotic nodule of the liver who received surgical resection at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver was found mainly in males (68.6%, 35/51), and patients ranged in age from 5 to 69 years with a mean of 45.3. Most of the patients (72.5%) had no significant symptoms, with negative results for the serum tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The mean diameter of the nodule was 23 mm (range 10-55 mm). Compared with ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings, the specific features of magnetic resonance imaging were more helpful for differential diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion, showing no notable symptoms and potential complications. The pathological change of the disease is not significant over a lifetime. Conservative treatment and clinical follow-up are recommended.
BACKGROUND: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion. The present study aimed to clarify the clinical features of the disease. METHOD: The medical records of 51 patients with histologically confirmed solitary necrotic nodule of the liver who received surgical resection at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver was found mainly in males (68.6%, 35/51), and patients ranged in age from 5 to 69 years with a mean of 45.3. Most of the patients (72.5%) had no significant symptoms, with negative results for the serum tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The mean diameter of the nodule was 23 mm (range 10-55 mm). Compared with ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings, the specific features of magnetic resonance imaging were more helpful for differential diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion, showing no notable symptoms and potential complications. The pathological change of the disease is not significant over a lifetime. Conservative treatment and clinical follow-up are recommended.
Authors: Chang Soo Choi; Eun Young Cho; Jin Soo Jeong; Chong Ju Im; Bong Joon Yang; Haak Cheoul Kim Journal: Hepatol Int Date: 2010-07-29 Impact factor: 6.047