Macronodular hepatic deformity on normal liver.
METHODS
Macronodular hepatic deformity on normal liver is very rare. We present nine such cases and try to define the characteristic clinical and ultrasound (US) findings.


RESULTS
In the left lobe, the lateral segment was replaced by multiple nodules and the medial segment was very atrophied and irregularly shaped. Compared with the left lobe, the right lobe showed very few abnormalities except for segment 6, which showed a macronodular deformity. These nodules, regardless of diameter or lobe, showed a relatively homogeneous internal structure and were isoechoic relative to the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. These multinodular changes on US corresponded to multiple regenerative nodules identified at laparoscopic evaluation. On color Doppler US and angiography, the major intrahepatic vessels were patent in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Although relatively rare, the macronodular hepatic deformity on normal liver collected in our series showed a characteristic appearance by US. A good understanding of its characteristics may help sonographers in differentiating it from other, more common hepatic deformities.
Konno
K
K
First Department of Internal Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Japan.
Ishida
H
H
Sato
M
M
Hamashima
Y
Y
Naganuma
H
H
Funaoka
M
M
Fujimori
S
S
Ishida
J
J
Hirata
M
M
Watanabe
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography