Hepatic pseudolymphoma: a surprising finding in a case with suspected generalisation of lung cancer

Pseudolymphoma is a rare focal lesion which occurs in different locations. Only about 50 cases of liver pseudolymphoma have been reported so far. The diagnostic process is challenging. The lesion can resemble different malignancies using various imaging methods. No typical laboratory markers are available. The right diagnosis is usually made on the basis of histological examination.

A 67 years old female patient with lung fibrosis was undergoing assessments for a malignant-appearing focal lesion of the left lung and a focal liver lesion of unknown etiology. Upper lobectomy of the left lung proved lung carcinoma. The liver lesion was suspected for being metastatic, therefore a liver resection followed. The biopsy revealed hepatic pseudolymphoma. It took 150 days from the first positive CT scan until the liver resection. Currently, the patient shows no signs of recurrence.

Hepatic pseudolymphoma is a rare disease and we have only little experience with it so far. The diagnostic process is challenging, which is clear from the presented case. Only histological and immunohistochemical examinations ruled out a malignancy. A long-term observation of the patient is indicated.