Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and contraceptive steroids.

A case of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the liver in a young woman taking oral contraceptives is described. The parenteral administration of an elevated dosage of progesterone in a concentrated period of time is a remarkable feature of this case. The vascular alterations, which consisted of a marked increase of arterial and venous formations, intimal proliferation, diffused thrombosis, and the presence of large blood spaces recalling "peliosis hepatis" are the most salient microscopic findings. We should not exclude the possibility that these peculiar vascular alterations be the real effect of steroid hormones on a pre-existent hepatic lesion.