Right upper quadrant abdominal masses mimicking hepatic tumours: an approach to management

Four patients with large right upper quadrant tumour masses of non-hepatic origin are presented. On initial clinical and radiological assessment, all cases were misinterpreted as either having a primary liver tumour or extensive invasion of the liver by an extrinsic tumour. Although angiography and CT scanning are most likely to yield an accurate diagnosis, they can be misleading. Vena cavography also gives important information in determining operability and at operation guides the retroperitoneal dissection. After thorough investigation an aggressive surgical approach to these tumours, with hepatic resection when necessary, provides the best chance of good palliation and possible cure.