Hepatic teratoma and peritoneal gliomatosis: a case report

Christoph Karlo,Stefan Breitenstein,Matthias Dettmer,Paul Stolzmann,Sebastian Leschka

doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9302

Christoph Karlo, Stefan Breitenstein + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1626-2-9302

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Journal: Cases Journal	Publication Date: Dec 1, 2009
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 2.0

Affiliation: University Hospital of Zurich

Abstract

The hepatic teratoma is a very rare entity of which only 25 cases have been published so far. In our case the hepatic teratoma is associated with peritoneal gliomatosis, which is an indicator for an ongoing peritoneal spread of a teratoma. Wall calcifications and the homogeneity as well as the well defined border misled the radiologist to the diagnosis of an echinococcal cyst, which is the most common differential diagnosis, however the hepatic teratoma has to be taking into consideration when dealing with unclear hepatic cysts, although it is very rare.

Highlights

History In November 2008, a 59-year-old, Swiss Caucasian woman presented to her family physician with mild abdominal pain
For further evaluation the patient was referred to our hospital where computed tomography (CT) revealed a homogenous, hypodense, well delineated lesion of the right liver with a diameter of 13 cm and small calcifications in the lesion's wall (Figure 1)
We have reported the case of an unusual appearance of a hepatic teratoma in an adult woman combined with peritoneal gliomatosis, which is a very rare, atypical finding

Summary

Introduction

History In November 2008, a 59-year-old, Swiss Caucasian woman presented to her family physician with mild abdominal pain. No significant events were documented in this previously healthy woman's medical history besides a left sided oophorectomy in 1960 for a teratoma and a hysterectomy in 1982 for unknown indication after three uncomplicated pregnancies. She had no history of trauma and was taking no medication at the time of presentation. Imaging findings The general practitioner performed abdominal ultrasound and found an anechoic, well delineated lesion of the right liver, 13 cm (centimeters) in diameter. Surgery Intraoperative findings included a large cystic lesion adjacent to the liver without hepatic infiltration as well as multifocal peritoneal thickening combined with white superficial spots on the peritoneum (Figure 2). The final diagnosis was a mature, cystic teratoma combined with peritoneal gliomatosis

Discussion

Conclusion