Accessory liver lobe in the right thoracic cavity

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Accessory liver lobes (ALL) are rare congenital anomalies.
• While typically located in the abdominal cavity, ALL can exceptionally occur in the thoracic cavity.
• Intrathoracic masses necessitate a broad differential diagnosis.

Observation:

• A 42-year-old man presented with an incidentally discovered 5 cm intrathoracic tumor above the right diaphragm.
• Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a vascularized mass supplied by the portal vein.
• The tumor exhibited no signs suggestive of malignancy.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with an accessory liver lobe (ALL) located in the thoracic cavity.
• This case represents an unusual presentation of a congenital liver anomaly.
• The vascular supply from the portal vein is a key diagnostic feature.

Implications:

• Accessory liver lobe should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intrathoracic tumors.
• Accurate diagnosis of intrathoracic ALL is crucial for appropriate patient management.
• Further research into the embryological basis and clinical spectrum of thoracic ALL is warranted.