Abstract
Intracaval liver is a rare variant that is caused by migration of hepatic cells in the fetal stage. This normal variant should be clinically differentiated from malignant tumors. We report a case of a 76-year-old woman with an intracaval liver. A mass lesion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) was found when screening an abdominal US and she was referred to our hospital. She did not have any symptoms. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a well-enhanced mass lesion in IVC being continuous with the left medial segment of the liver. This tumor-like structure showed the same contrast-enhancement pattern as the hepatic parenchyma and non-invasive pattern. On T1- and T2-weighted MRI, the mass lesion had the same intensity as the hepatic parenchyma. From the results of these imaging surveys, intracaval liver was strongly suspected and to confirm the diagnosis, CT angioportography (CTAP) was consequently performed. On CTAP, the mass lesion showed the same contrast-enhancement as the liver and normal branches of portal veins were confirmed in the mass lesion. Therefore, the mass lesion was considered a part of the normal liver, and was finally diagnosed as an intracaval liver.
