 |
|
Image of the Month—Quiz Case
Lucas McCormack, MD;
Henrik Petrowsky, MD;
Pierre-Alain Clavien, MD, PhD
Arch Surg. 2007;142(4):399.
INTRODUCTION
A 60-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of a right gluteal hematoma after a mild trauma associated with asthenia and unspecific upper abdominal symptoms. On physical examination, we observed ecchymoses in the flanks, buttocks, and lower limbs. Although abdominal palpation was normal, an ultrasound revealed a large heterogeneous mass of 10 x 7 cm in the left lateral segment of the liver. A contrast-enhanced computed tomogram showed a peripheral nodular pattern of enhancement with a hypodense center (Figure 1). The hematogram revealed anemia (hematocrit value, 19%; hemoglobin level, 9.9 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count, 77x 103/µL). Coagulation tests showed the following values: fibrinogen, 400 mg/dL (11.8 µmol/L) (reference range, 150-400 mg/dL [4.4-11.8 µmol/L]); fibrin degradation products, 1.5 µg/mL (reference range, <0.5 µg/mL); and thrombin–antithrombin III complexes, 17.4 ng/mL (reference range, <5.0 ng/mL). All other biochemical characteristics were within normal limits.
|
|
|
|
Figure 1. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram showing a giant heterogeneous mass (arrow) occupying the left segments of the liver.
|
|
|
The patient underwent laparotomy, and the mass was successfully removed without the need of intraoperative transfusions (Figure 2). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day.
|
|
|
|
Figure 2. Intraoperative picture showing an enucleated liver lesion from the surrounding normal hepatic parenchyma. Vessels at the transection plane were controlled with silk ligatures and titanium clips. The inlay image presents the resected well-capsulated tumor.
|
|
|
What Is the Diagnosis?
A. Kasabach-Merritt syndrome
B. Hemangiosarcoma
C. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
D. Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia)
Answer
Author Affiliations: Swiss HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary) Centre, Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Zurich, University Hospital, Switzerland.
SECTION EDITOR: GRACE S. ROZYCKI, MD
RELATED ARTICLE
Image of the Month—Diagnosis
Arch Surg. 2007;142(4):400.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
