PSEUDOTUMOR OF THE LIVER - A CHALLENGING DIAGNOSIS

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the liver are rare, and their natural his tory is mostly unknown. Making the diagnosis is often difficult, and t hese masses are often confused with other lesions, generally either pr imary or secondary neoplasms. The case of a patient who had an exhaust ive preoperative work-up, including ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI, is herein presented. The characteristics of each exam, particularly th ose of the MRI, in which the pattern is poorly described in the litera ture, are reported. A fine needle biopsy was not contributive, as it w as performed too centrally within the nodule. Only a high degree of su spicion and the existence of this tumor might lead to a preoperative d iagnosis, 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 live r resection of noncirrhotic livers is low, surgery should be considere d the treatment of choice.