[Polycystic ovary syndrome and hepatocellular adenoma related to long-term use of sodium valproate in a young woman].

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among women taking sodium valproate (VPA). We report the case of a 28 year-old epileptic female taking VPA, who developed PCOS and later hepatocellular adenoma. She had been taking VPA for intractable epilepsy since the age of 15 months. At the age of 22 years, she suffered spontaneous rupture of a liver tumor that was diagnosed as hepatocellular adenoma. At the age of 24 years, bilateral polycystic ovaries were found by transabdominal ultrasonography, and PCOS was diagnosed. VPA may directly influence steroidogenesis in the ovary and cause hyperandrogenemia with ensuing PCOS. It is known that abnormality in the sex hormones contributes to the onset of hepatocellular adenoma. Therefore, we speculate that hyperandrogenemia due to VPA contributed to the development of hepatocellular adenoma in this case.