A hepatic adenoma is a benign liver tumor that develops most commonly in young women taking oral contraceptives or other estrogen-containing medications. On ultrasound, hepatic adenomas have a variable appearance, often presenting as a well-defined, solid mass that may be hyperechoic, isoechoic, or hypoechoic depending on its fat content and any internal hemorrhage. They are clinically significant because they can bleed spontaneously, particularly when they are larger than 5 centimeters, and a small percentage can undergo malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and MRI are often needed to characterize these tumors and distinguish them from other liver masses.
Sonography Term