Accessory liver lobe: an uncommon abdominal mass mimicker

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Aug 3;17(8):e260719. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2024-260719.

Abstract

Heterotopic hepatic tissue is a rare development anomaly, exhibiting diverse forms and locations. We present a case report of an asymptomatic woman in her 40s who had an 8 cm mass in the left hypochondrium detected on routine ultrasound, which was initially suspected to be a tumour. Further investigation revealed that the mass had a similar enhancement to the liver on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI and presented a connection with the original liver via vascular pedicle, favouring the diagnosis of accessory liver lobe (ALL). Accurate differentiation of ALL from other abdominal masses poses a diagnostic challenge, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of malignant tumours and unnecessary interventions. Although usually small and asymptomatic, rarely they can present with acute complications, and cross-sectional techniques play an important role in enabling early diagnosis and management. Therefore, radiologists must raise awareness regarding ALL, their imagological findings, and diagnostic pathways, and understand potential associated complications.

Keywords: Anatomic Variation; Radiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Choristoma / diagnosis
  • Choristoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Humans
  • Liver* / abnormalities
  • Liver* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver* / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA
  • Gadolinium DTPA