A Case of Hepatic Congestion Due to Right Heart Failure Mimicking Liver Tumor

Dong Ho Shin; Myoung Ha Lee; Do Young Kim; Kyong Joo Lee; Jun Yong Park; Sang Hoon Ahn; Kwang-Hyub Han; Chae Yoon Chon

doi:10.4166/kjg.2010.56.4.264

Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.56(4) > 1006726

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Shin, Lee, Kim, Lee, Park, Ahn, Han, and Chon: A Case of Hepatic Congestion Due to Right Heart Failure Mimicking Liver Tumor

Original Article

Korean J Gastroenterol 2010;56(4):264-267.

Published online: 21 February 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2010.56.4.264

A Case of Hepatic Congestion Due to Right Heart Failure Mimicking Liver Tumor

Dong Ho Shin, M.D., Myoung Ha Lee, M.D., Do Young Kim, M.D., Kyong Joo Lee, M.D., Jun Yong Park, M.D., Sang Hoon Ahn, M.D., Kwang-Hyub Han, M.D., Chae Yoon Chon, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Liver Cancer Special Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Do Young Kim, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250, Sungsan-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea Tel: +82-2-2228-1992, Fax: +82-2-393-6884 E-mail: dyk1025@yuhs.ac

Received 11 November 2009 Accepted 31 March 2010

Abstract

This report describes a patient with hepatic congestion due to right heart failure mimicking liver tumor. The patient had a history of breast cancer and left total mastectomy 30 years ago, tricuspid valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve replacement 4 years ago. Three years ago, abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate inguinal hernia, which revealed multiple small hepatic nodules. After 1 year, the number and size of liver nodules were increased in CT scan. The patient underwent gun biopsy and histopathology revealed sinusoid enlargement. The patient recently had jaundice, abdominal distension, and peripheral edema. Liver dynamic CT scan was done to evaluate the palpable liver. The number and size of liver nodules were more increased in CT than 2 years ago. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), numerous variable sized ill-defined nodules replacing entire liver with progressing centripetal enhancement, which were suggestive of malignancy such as angiosarcoma, were noted. MRI finding suspects malignancy or hemangiosarcoma. Finally, the patient received repeated gun biopsy, and histopathology revealed findings compatible with hepatic congestion.

Keywords: Hepatic congestion, Liver tumor, Right-sided heart failure

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Fig. 1.

(A) Three years ago, CT showed multiple, variable sized, and ill-defined low density nodule scattering through entire liver. (B) Two years ago, CT showed variable sized and ill-defined low density nodule increased in size and number. (C) At this time, CT showed previously noted low density nodules in both lobes of the liver increased in size and number and dilated IVC and hepatic veins, inhomogenous enhancement of hepatic parenchyma. (D) In T2 weighted MRI scan, numerous nodules replaced entire liver with progressing centripetal enhancement.

Fig. 2.

(A) Initial liver specimen showed sinusoidal dilatation and fibrous septal containing ductular proliferation and abnormal vessel (H&E, ×200). (B) Following liver specimen showed marked sinusoidal dilatation with focal sinusoidal fibrin thrombi, portal fibrosis and focal ductular proliferation (H&E, ×100).

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