A rare cause of acute abdomen: an isolated falciform ligament necrosis

The falciform ligament is one of the anatomical structures which attach the liver to the diaphragm and anterior abdominal wall. Primary falciform ligament is very rare. In this article, we present a case of an isolated falciform ligament necrosis, a rare primary pathology of the falciform ligament, who was admitted with acute abdomen.

A 64-year-old female patient was admitted with the complaints of pain. Laboratory test results showed a leukocyte count of 17,000/mm(3). Imaging studies demonstrated intra-abdominal reactionary fluid along with a heterogeneous mass localized in the falciform ligament. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a necrotic mass of the falciform ligament. No other pathology responsible for falciform ligament necrosis was found. We believe that falciform ligament necrosis should be considered a preliminary diagnosis, if any ligament abnormality, tumor, intraligament air density, or the presence of reactionary fluid surrounding the ligament is detected through abdominal imaging studies.