Multiple hepatocellular adenomas presenting in a male 8 years post-pancreaticoduodenectomy for islet cell tumor of the pancreas

We report the case of a 29-year-old male who presented with vague right upper quadrant pain, 8 years following a pancreaticoduodenectomy for a symptomatic pancreatic islet cell tumor. Subsequent imaging revealed multiple lesions in the right lobe of the liver. A diagnosis of metastatic disease could not be out ruled and hence a formal resection was performed. A formal retrospective review of case notes, preoperative imaging, operative notes, subsequent histology as well as a review of the current literature using the Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases was performed. Histologic analysis showed these lesions to be hepatocellular adenomas. We highlight in this case the importance of preoperative imaging and workup, discuss hepatocellular adenomas in males and hypothesize as to the underlying pathophysiology in this particular case based on the available evidence.