Diagnosis and Management of Focal Liver Lesions
Publication Date: September 1, 2014
Recommendations
Solid FLL
Suspected hepatocellular carcinoma
1. An MRI or triple-phase CT should be obtained in patients with cirrhosis with an ultrasound showing a lesion of > 1 cm. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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2. Patients with chronic liver disease, especially with cirrhosis, who present with a solid FLL are at a very high risk for having HCC and must be considered to have HCC until otherwise proven. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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3. A diagnosis of HCC can be made with CT or MRI if the typical characteristics are present: a solid FLL with enhancement in the arterial phase with washout in the delayed venous phase should be considered to have HCC until otherwise proven. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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4. If an FLL in a patient with cirrhosis does not have typical characteristics of HCC, then a biopsy should be performed in order to make the diagnosis. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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Suspected cholangiocarcinoma
5. MRI or CT should be obtained if CCA is suspected clinically or by ultrasound. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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6. A liver biopsy should be obtained to establish the diagnosis of CCA if the patient is nonoperable.
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Suspected hepatocellular adenoma
7. Oral contraceptives, hormone-containing IUDs, and anabolic steroids are to be avoided in patients with hepatocellular adenoma. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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8. Obtaining a biopsy should be reserved for cases in which imaging is inconclusive and biopsy is deemed necessary to make treatment decisions. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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9. Pregnancy is not generally contraindicated in cases of hepatocellular adenoma <5 cm and an individualized approach is advocated for these patients. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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10. In hepatocellular adenoma ≥5 cm, intervention through surgical or nonsurgical modalities is recommended, since there is a risk of rupture and malignancy. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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11. If no therapeutic intervention is pursued, lesions suspected of being hepatocellular adenoma require follow-up CT or MRI at 6- to 12-month intervals. The duration of monitoring is based on the growth patterns and stability of the lesion over time. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Suspected hemangioma
12. An MRI or CT scan should be obtained to confi rm a diagnosis of hemangioma. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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13. Liver biopsy should be avoided if the radiologic features of a hemangioma are present. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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14. Pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives or anabolic steroids are not contraindicated in patients with a hemangioma. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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15. Regardless of the size, no intervention is required for asymptomatic hepatic hemangiomas. Symptomatic patients with impaired quality of life can be referred for surgical or nonsurgical therapeutic modalities by an experienced team. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Suspected focal nodular hyperplasia
16. An MRI or CT scan should be obtained to confirm a diagnosis of FNH. A liver biopsy is not routinely indicated to confi rm the diagnosis. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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17. Pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives or anabolic steroids are not contraindicated in patients with FNH. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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18. Asymptomatic FNH does not require intervention. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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19. Annual US for 2–3 years is prudent in women diagnosed with FNH who wish to continue OCP use. Individuals with a firm diagnosis of FNH who are not using OCP do not require follow-up imaging. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Suspected nodular regenerative hyperplasia
20. Liver biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of NRH. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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21. Pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives or anabolic steroids are not contraindicated in patients with an NRH. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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22. Asymptomatic NRH does not require intervention. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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23. Management of NRH is based on diagnosing and managing any underlying predisposing disease processes. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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Cystic FLL
Suspect simple hepatic cysts
24. A hepatic cyst identifi ed on US with septations, fenestrations, calcifications, irregular walls, or daughter cysts should prompt further evaluation with a CT or MRI. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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25. Asymptomatic simple hepatic cysts should be observed with expectant management. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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26. Aspiration of asymptomatic, simple hepatic cysts is not recommended. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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27. Symptomatic simple hepatic cysts may be managed with laparoscopic deroofing rather than aspiration and sclerotherapy, dictated based on availability of local expertise. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Suspected biliary cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma
28. Routine fluid aspiration is not recommended when BCA is suspected because of limited sensitivity and the risk of malignant dissemination. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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29. Imaging characteristics suggestive of BC or BCA, such as internal septations, fenestrations, calcifications, or irregular walls, should lead to referral for surgical excision. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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30. Complete surgical excision by an experienced team is recommended if BC or BCA is suspected. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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Suspected polycystic liver disease
31. Routine medical therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors or somatostatin analogs is not recommended. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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32. Aspiration, deroofi ng, resection of a dominant cyst(s) can be performed based on the patient’s clinical presentation and underlying hepatic reserve. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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33. Liver transplantation with or without kidney transplantation can be considered in patients with refractory symptoms and significant cyst burden. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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Suspected hydatid cysts
34. MRI is preferred over CT for concomitant evaluation of the biliary tree and cystic contents. (Conditional (weak) “We suggest”, Low)
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35. Monotherapy with antihelminthic drugs is not recommended in symptomatic patients who are surgical or percutaneous treatment candidates. (Strong “We recommend”, Moderate)
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36. Adjunctive therapy with antihelminthic therapy is recommended in patients undergoing PAIR or surgery, and in those with peritoneal rupture or biliary rupture. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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37. Percutaneous treatment with PAIR is recommended for patients with active hydatid cysts who are not surgical candidates, who decline surgery, or who relapse after surgery. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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38. Surgery, either laparoscopic or open, based on available expertise, is recommended in complicated hydatid cysts with multiple vesicles, daughter cysts, fistulas, rupture, hemorrhage, or secondary infection. (Strong “We recommend”, Low)
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Recommendation Grading
Disclaimer
Overview
Title
Diagnosis and Management of Focal Liver Lesions
Authoring Organization
American College of Gastroenterology
Publication Month/Year
September 1, 2014
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
In this ACG practice guideline, the authors provide an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of Focal Liver Lesions (FLL).
Target Patient Population
Patients with focal liver lesions
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Hospital, Operating and recovery room, Outpatient
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Assessment and screening, Diagnosis, Management
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D008107 - Liver Diseases, D008099 - Liver, D008103 - Liver Cirrhosis
Keywords
liver disease, hepatitis, cystic lesions, liver lesions
Source Citation
Marrero, Jorge A MD; Ahn, Joseph MD, FACG; Reddy, Rajender K MD, FACG. on behalf of the Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology ACG Clinical Guideline: The Diagnosis and Management of Focal Liver Lesions, American Journal of Gastroenterology: September 2014 - Volume 109 - Issue 9 - p 1328-1347 doi: 10.1038/ajg.2014.213