Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2013; 19(38): 6485-6489
Published online Oct 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6485
Ectopic liver: Different manifestations, one solution
Pavel Zonca, Lubomir Martinek, Peter Ihnat, Jan Fleege
Pavel Zonca, Lubomir Martinek, Peter Ihnat, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 70852 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Pavel Zonca, Lubomir Martinek, Peter Ihnat, Department of Surgical Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70300 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Jan Fleege, MVZ Zentrum für Pathologie und Zytodiagnostik GmbH, 50996 Köln, Germany
Author contributions: Zonca P and Martinek L performed surgical operations; Fleege J performed pathological examinations; Ihnat P and Martinek L were involved in data acquisition and interpretation of data; Zonca P and Ihnat P wrote the manuscript; Zonca P organized the report.
Correspondence to: Pavel Zonca, MD, PhD, FRCS, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. listopadu 1790, 70852 Ostrava, Czech Republic. pavel.zonca@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: +42-597-375051 Fax: +42-597-375054
Received: May 20, 2013
Revised: July 5, 2013
Accepted: July 12, 2013
Published online: October 14, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Ectopic liver presents a rare clinical finding resulting from liver tissue migration to various organs during embryogenesis. Although the condition is typically asymptomatic, it can lead to different clinical manifestations such as intraabdominal bleeding or hepatocarcinogenesis. The potential malignancy risk is the basis for radical surgical removal; which represents the only correct solution. Therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in an ectopic liver follows the same guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines) as those followed for treating the “mother” liver. Despite the low incidence of ectopic liver and rare complications, it is necessary to maintain an awareness of this possibility.