Clinical and radiologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the caudate lobe.
Five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe were evaluated. Computed tomography (CT) scan and/or angiography clearly demonstrated multiple intrahepatic metastases in four (80%), and tumor thrombi in the portal vein in two (40%), and in the inferior vena cava in one. Even though there was no recognizable lung metastasis, metastases were found in the orbita in one patient, and in the ribs and thoracic vertebrae in two patients. Four patients died after a mean period of 5.5 months from the initial diagnosis. The mechanism for early invasion into the vessels and multiple intrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma arising from the caudate lobe is discussed.
D000792:Angiography; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed