A rare intrathoracic mass: Accessory liver lobe

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Heterotopic liver tissue is a rare congenital anomaly.
• Supradiaphragmatic location is exceptionally uncommon.
• Often asymptomatic and incidentally discovered.

Observation:

• A female patient presented with occasional chest and back pain, exacerbated by coughing.
• Radiographic imaging revealed an intrathoracic paravertebral mass.

Findings:

• The mass was identified as heterotopic, supradiaphragmatic liver tissue.
• This finding represents an extremely rare anatomical presentation.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of presentations for this rare entity.
• Highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in cases of unexplained thoracic masses.
• Suggests potential for symptomatic presentation even in typically asymptomatic conditions.