ACCESORY AND ECTOPIC LIVER LOBE AT SAME PATIENT:CASE REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: Accessory liver lobes (ALL) are defined as supranumerary liver lobes, composed of normal liver parenchyma in continuity with the liver, in contrast to ectopic liver lobes (ELL) that have no anatomical continuity with the normal liver. Case report :In this article we report on a rare radiological diagnosis of an synchronous accessory and ectopic  liver lobe using ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). A 59-year-old female with no symptoms was admitted to our hospital due to preventive exam. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a high echoic 6cm x 5cm soft tissue area in right anterior subhepatic space with distinct margins, a uniform echo and blood flow and was suspected to be abdominal tumor. An enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed the irregular 65mm x 48mm x 32mm mass in the right hypochondrium below IV and V liver segment with clear margins, a uniform density, texture and contrast enhancement as normal liver tissue. In same patient CT also showed small 16mm x 12mm mass in posterior mediastinum in right retrocrural space so diagnosis of  accessory and ectopic liver lobe was confirmed. An accessory liver lobe is adjacent and attached to the liver by its own mesentery, while an ectopic liver lobe is one that is completely detached from the normal liver parenchyma. Conclusion :Ultrasound can show mass in the abdomen, which is most commonly in the subhepatic area, but very rarely can initially diagnose ALL or ELL due to different echogenicity of the liver parenchyma in different acoustic windows. In the case of an atypical CT presentation, an MR examination of the abdomen is indicated but it is very rarely. Fast and accurate radiological diagnosis of ALL and ELL is important in the prevention of unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures such as laparotomy and thoracotomy which are needed only in cases of complications.