Published online Apr 14, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i14.4419
Peer-review started: October 28, 2014
First decision: November 14, 2014
Revised: December 14, 2014
Accepted: January 30, 2015
Article in press: January 30, 2015
Published online: April 14, 2015
A 20-year-old female patient presented with two masses located in the left liver. In this patient, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a hypodense mass and a second well-defined mass with a calcified nodule in the left hepatic lobe. No enhancements were apparent in or around the masses. A laparotomy was performed due to the patient’s symptoms, namely, the atypical CT findings and a risk of rupture of the subcapsular lesion. The operation revealed two masses in the left hepatic lobe and a left liver resection was subsequently performed. One of the masses involved segment III and the other mass was located in segment IV. The histopathologic findings supported a diagnosis of collagenous nodule mixed simple cyst and hemangioma. A diagnosis of collagenous nodule mixed simple hepatic cyst is extremely rare and radiologically mimics a teratoma, hepatolithiasis, parasitic cyst, or hemangioma. Although hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors found in the liver, the present case showed atypical radiographic features.
Core tip: This case represents a rare presentation of a patient with multiple liver masses. A definitive diagnosis depends on the histopathologic findings. Collagenous nodules are a rare clinicopathologic finding in the liver. This paper discusses the pathogenesis of a collagenous nodule found in the liver. Although hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor in the liver, this case showed atypical radiographic features.