Pseudotumor of the liver: a challenging diagnosis

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the liver are rare, and their natural history is mostly unknown. Making the diagnosis is often difficult, and these masses are often confused with other lesions, generally either primary or secondary neoplasms. The case of a patient who had an exhaustive preoperative work-up, including ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI, is herein presented. The characteristics of each exam, particularly those of the MRI, in which the pattern is poorly described in the literature, are reported. A fine needle biopsy was not contributive, as it was performed too centrally within the nodule. Only a high degree of suspicion and the existence of this tumor might lead to a preoperative diagnosis, thus avoiding major surgery. However, as is evident from the experiences of most authors and from our own, doubt may persist even after an exhaustive work-up. Since the morbidity and mortality of liver resection of noncirrhotic livers is low, surgery should be considered the treatment of choice.