Riedel's Lobe and Beaver Tail Variant: A Cadaveric Case Report

Variations of the liver in the form of accessory lobes account for about less than 1%. One of the commonest accessory lobes on the right is Riedel's lobe. An occasional anatomical variant of the left lobe is the beaver tail variant. Both variants are reported to be common in females. We hereby report two cases. A 45-year-old female cadaver was noticed to have Riedel's lobe and beaver tail variant. Riedel's lobe appeared to be a tongue-like projection from the right inferior margin of the liver, almost reaching the level of the iliac crest. It was partially separated from the rest of the liver by a deep fissure. The left lobe was elongated, crossed the midline, and reached the left wall of the abdominal cavity after encircling the spleen. Splenomegaly was noticed, and the left lobe of the liver had a splenic impression. Riedel's lobe was drained by the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and supplied by the right branch of the portal vein (RPV). A similar variation of the beaver tail variant was noticed in an 85-year-old female cadaver. The left lobe of the liver crossed the midline and was related superior to the spleen. The right lobe of the liver and the spleen were normal. The beaver tail variant was drained by the left hepatic vein (LHV) and supplied by the left branch of the portal vein (LPV). These variations are prone to injuries and can be confused with the abdominal mass and could interfere with laparoscopic procedures.