Angiomyolipoma of the Liver: A Rare Benign Tumor Treated with a Laparoscopic Approach for the First Time

Abstract

Background/aim: Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the liver is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor that usually presents in adult female patients. It most frequently occurs in the kidney, with the liver being the second most common site of involvement. Angiomyolipoma belongs to a family of tumors arising from perivascular epithelioid cells, but in rare cases may also have cystic features. We report our experience via the first case of hepatic angiomyolipoma treated by laparoscopic approach.

Patients and methods: We present the case of a 50-year-old female patient complaining of abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a 5 × 3 cm mass located in the left liver lobe. The tumor was resected with a laparoscopic approach. Microscopic examination of the tumor revealed hepatic angiomyolipoma.

Results: Twenty-seven months postoperatively, the patient remains fit and healthy.

Conclusion: Angiomyolipoma can be removed by laparoscopy.

Keywords: Liver; angiomyolipoma; epithelioid; laparoscopic surgery; tumor.