HEPATIC PSEUDOLESION AROUND THE FALCIFORM LIGAMENT - PREVALENCE ON CTEXAMINATION

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatic pseudolesions seen around the falciform ligament on compute d tomography (CT) of the abdomen obtained with intravenous administrat ion of contrast material. Methods: We first retrospectively reviewed t he CT scans of six patients in whom hepatic pseudolesions were seen ar ound the falciform ligament. The abdominal CT scans of 587 patients we re then prospectively analyzed for the presence of hepatic pseudolesio ns around the falciform ligament to determine the prevalence of this f inding on CT examinations. Results: CT scans in the first six patients showed two types of hepatic pseudolesion around the falciform ligamen t. In three patients, hepatic pseudolesions were focal spared areas in fatty liver. In three patients, hepatic pseudolesions were developed in nonfatty liver. Prospectively, hepatic pseudolesions were found on five of 587 CT examinations (prevalence = 1%). A single hepatic pseudo lesion was found in segment 4 on two examinations. Two hepatic pseudol esions (one in segment 4 and one in segment 3) were found together on three CT examinations. Conclusion: Hepatic pseudolesions around the fa lciform ligament are seldom seen on CT scan. However, recognition of t hese pseudolesions is crucial because they may be interpreted as true tumors.