[Hepatic infarction of arterial origin. X-ray computed tomographic aspects]

Unlike other major abdominal organs, infarctions affecting the liver is extremely rare. In humans, the rarity of hepatic infarction is explained commonly on the basis of the double blood supply via the hepatic artery and portal vein. The imaging studies and clinical records of seven patients with hepatic infarcts were reviewed. These infarctions were essentially observed during post-operative periods: after aortoceliac graft and after accidental ligation of the hepatic artery (4 cases). The other etiologies included: acute hypovolemic shock in patients with atherosclerosis (2 cases) and finally one case of acute thrombocytosis. Dynamic CT was performed initially in all the cases and during the evolution, demonstrating peripheral low attenuation areas without enhancement. Associated splenic infarcts were present in 4 patients and renal infarcts in two. While the clinical and laboratory findings in hepatic infarction can be completely mimicked by hepatic abscess, CT-guided aspirations were performed in 6 patients demonstrating in only one case the presence of infection.