Focal nodular hyperplasia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Focal nodular hyperplasia
Synonyms	FNH
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Usually asymptomatic, may cause abdominal pain or discomfort
Complications	Rarely, hemorrhage or rupture
Onset	Typically in young adults
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, possibly related to hormonal factors
Risks	More common in women
Diagnosis	Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Hepatocellular adenoma, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Liver metastases
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Usually none required, surgery if symptomatic
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Excellent, benign condition
Frequency	Common, second most common benign liver tumor
Deaths	N/A

Focal nodular hyperplasia in the liver

Liver tumor types in adults by relative incidence

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign condition of the liver that is often discovered incidentally during imaging studies for unrelated conditions. It is the second most common benign liver lesion, with Hemangioma being the most common. FNH is more frequently found in women and is often associated with the use of oral contraceptives.

Etiology

The exact cause of FNH is not known. However, it is believed to be associated with vascular malformations in the liver. Some studies suggest a possible link with the use of oral contraceptive pills, but this has not been definitively proven.

Clinical Presentation

Most patients with FNH are asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they are usually nonspecific and may include abdominal discomfort or fullness. Rarely, a large FNH can cause significant symptoms due to mass effect.

Diagnosis

FNH is often discovered incidentally during imaging studies for unrelated conditions. The diagnosis can usually be made based on characteristic imaging findings on Ultrasound, CT, or MRI. In some cases, a liver biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

No treatment is usually necessary for FNH, as it is a benign condition and does not increase the risk of liver cancer. In rare cases where the FNH is large and causing symptoms, surgical resection may be considered.

Prognosis

The prognosis for FNH is excellent. It does not increase the risk of liver cancer and does not usually require treatment.

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