A Rare Anatomical Variation: Intrathoracic Liver Caudate Lobe: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Intrathoracic herniation of abdominal organs is uncommon.
• The caudate lobe of the liver can exceptionally protrude into the thoracic cavity.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to atypical presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of intrathoracic caudate lobe.
• To highlight diagnostic imaging findings.
• To differentiate from thoracic masses.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

• CT revealed a paravertebral soft tissue mass suspicious for a pleural tumor.
• Coronal view showed protrusion into the abdomen with liver-like density.
• MRI confirmed the intrathoracic caudate lobe diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Intrathoracic caudate lobe is a rare differential diagnosis for chest masses.
• Advanced imaging (CT, MRI) is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Prompt identification prevents misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.