Hepatocellular carcinoma in situs ambiguus: CT findings of a rare disposition

Surg Radiol Anat. 2015 Jul;37(5):419-24. doi: 10.1007/s00276-014-1322-6. Epub 2014 Jun 11.

Abstract

Heterotaxic disorders or situs ambiguus are uncommon anatomical variations constituted by a partial mirror-image disposition of intra thoracic and/or abdominal solid organs. These variations are challenging because rarely met in a surgeon's career, and because of the coexistence of numerous other anatomical variants, like ones related to the asymmetrical organs, causing difficulties when a surgical management is required. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient presenting liver cirrhosis in which regular follow-up discovered a hepatocellular carcinoma of the right part of the liver associated to numerous anatomical variations in the setting of a situs ambiguus. This patient was successfully treated by a sub-segmentectomy via a right sub-costal laparotomy. There were neither peroperative nor postoperative complications. This case emphasizes the technical difficulties faced, successfully managed thanks to a good preoperative screening, and allows us to review literature of such a rare and challenging situation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome / complications*
  • Heterotaxy Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed