Fatal rupture of hepatic adenomatosis: Autopsy case and review of the literature

J Forensic Sci. 2023 Jul;68(4):1393-1400. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15272. Epub 2023 May 5.

Abstract

Hepatic adenomatosis is a rare disease consisting of multiple adenomas in otherwise-normal liver parenchyma. Though the discovery of this entity goes back several years, its diagnosis is still challenging in terms of its definition and pathophysiology. Clinically, patients may be completely asymptomatic and the diagnosis is only made incidentally through imaging tests. The discovery could be made when complications occur such as intraperitoneal hemorrhage with hypovolemic shock due to the rupture of an adenoma. We report a fatal case of a ruptured adenoma in a case of hepatic adenomatosis discovered at autopsy. In order to achieve a better view of this disease, we conducted a literature review on this subject describing the pathogenesis, manifestations, and autopsy contribution to addressing this entity.

Keywords: autopsy; forensic pathology; hemorrhagic rupture; hepatic adenoma; hepatic adenomatosis; hepatocellular adenoma.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma* / complications
  • Adenoma* / diagnosis
  • Adenoma* / pathology
  • Autopsy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Rupture
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed