Radiological reasoning: incidentally discovered liver mass

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006 Jun;186(6 Suppl 1):S434-41. doi: 10.2214/AJR.05.1767.

Abstract

Objective: A 49-year-old woman presented to the emergency department after a fall in which she sustained a right subcapital hip fracture. During her hospital stay she developed abdominal pain, and a hypoechoic liver mass was found on sonography. Multiphase CT showed a hepatic mass with brisk arterial phase enhancement, rapid washout on the portal venous phase, and delayed phase hypodensity. The final pathology diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusion: Incidental lesions are frequently discovered during routine radiographic evaluations. Correlation with clinical history and additional confirmatory imaging is essential for appropriate diagnosis and management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / diagnostic imaging
  • Abdomen, Acute / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Hip Fractures / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color