Pseudolesion in segment IV A of the liver from vein of Sappey secondary to SVC obstruction.
Pseudolesions in the liver are caused by unusual/altered hemodynamics of the liver and can be confused with a true hepatic mass. In superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction. there is recruitment of the cavo-mammary-phrenic-hepatic-capsule-portal pathway. and the venous blood follows the internal mammary vein, the inferior phrenic vein, the hepatic capsule veins, and the intrahepatic portal system. causing a hypervascular pseudolesion in segment IV A of the liver. Recognizing the classic appearances of this hypervascular pseudolesion from the vein of Sappey in a CT study of the abdomen has prognostic implications in directing further evaluation of the chest for SVC obstruction. We present a case of a 54-year-old HIV-positive male smoker in whom identification of the hypervascular pseudolesion from the vein of Sappey on the abdominal CT led to the diagnosis of SVC syndrome.
Dharshan
D
Vummidi
Puneet
P
Bhargava
Jonathan R
JR
Medverd
Jeffrey B
JB
Virgin
George R
GR
Oliveira
Sandeep
S
Vaidya
CT, computed tomography; SVC, superior vena cava