Clinical features of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver

BACKGROUND:Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion.The present study aimed to clarify the clinical features of the disease. METHOD:The medical records of 51 patients with histologically confirmed solitary necrotic nodule of the liver who received surgical resection at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS:Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver was found mainly in males(68.6%,35/51),and patients ranged in age from 5 to 69 years with a mean of 45.3.Most of the patients (72.5%)had no significant symptoms,with negative results for the serum tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The mean diameter of the nodule was 23 mm(range 10-55 mm).Compared with ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings,the specific features of magnetic resonance imaging were more helpful for differential diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS:Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare nonmalignant lesion,showing no notable symptoms and potential complications.The pathological change of the disease is not significant over a lifetime.Conservative treatment and clinical follow-up are recommended.