Hepatic adenoma caused by contraceptives. Presentation of a case

A case of hepatic adenoma associated with oral contraceptive (OC) use in a 34-year old housewife is described. The patient presented with transient headaches which were experienced primarily on waking in the morning and were not alleviated with common analgesics. Hypertension was observed. Arteriographs of the kidneys were normal but a hypervascularized zone in the liver was discovered. The patient an emotional woman who habitually took sedatives for sleep had used Neogynon OCs for 8 years. Most other findings were normal. The patient was treated with 20 mg Apresoline and 30 drops of Hydergina/day. After the suppression of the OCs the patients condition was favorable with normal blood pressure of 120/80. The tumor was removed. Radiographic films and microscopic findings are reproduced. The tumor was clinically asymptomatic and was discovered by chance during an evaluation of hypertension. Until the intervention there was no hemoperitoneum. Because of the surgical intervention it was not possible to determine whether the tumor would have regressed after discontinuation of the OCs as sometimes reported. (summary in ENG)