Multicystic hepatocarcinoma mimicking liver abscess.
The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) became easier in relation to the improved radiological examinations; however, the neoplasm may occur under atypical presentations mimicking other benign or malignant processes. Multicystic HCC mimicking a liver abscess associated with septic-type fever and leukocytosis is rare, has a poor prognosis, and poses diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. We present the case of an 80-year-old patient, who presented with fever, leukocytosis, and large cystic masses involving right and left lobes of the liver initially considered abscesses and finally diagnosed as HCC after open drainage and liver biopsy. Although the patient died on the tenth postoperative day due to pulmonary oedema, the authors emphasize the high index of suspicion needed in the diagnosis of this unusual presentation of HCC.
1st Department of Surgery, 417 NIMTS Veterans Hospital of Athens, 10-12 Monis Petraki, 11521 Athens, Greece.
Evangelos
E
Falidas
Angelos
A
Pazidis
Georgios
G
Anyfantakis
Konstantinos
K
Vlachos
Christina
C
Goudeli
Constantinos
C
Villias