Liver Masses: A Clinical, Radiologic, and Pathologic Perspective

Sudhakar K. Venkatesh; Vishal Chandan; Lewis R. Roberts

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;12(9):1414-1429.

Radiologic Imaging Studies are Critical for Accurate Characterization of Liver Mass Lesions

The radiologic features of liver masses as assessed by liver ultrasonography or by cross-sectional imaging using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are extremely helpful in diagnosis. Specialized imaging studies such as octreotide scans, used in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors, and positron emission tomography scans, used for detection of metastatic disease or cholangiocarcinoma, are also valuable adjuncts for clinical diagnosis and management.

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Abstract and Introduction
Initial Clinical Evaluation
Radiologic Imaging Studies are Critical for Accurate Characterization of Liver Mass Lesions
Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
The Use of Multiphasic Cross-sectional Imaging in the Evaluation of Liver Masses
Needle Biopsy, Histopathology, and Immunohistochemical Studies
Endoscopic, Interventional Radiologic, and Molecular Pathologic Techniques for Evaluation of Liver Mass Lesions
Clinical and Radiologic Features of the Common Liver Mass Lesions
References

Table 1. Clinical Classification of Liver Mass Lesions
Benign mass lesions for which no treatment is needed
Hepatic hemangioma
FNH
Benign liver cyst
Focal fat or focal fat sparing
Benign mass lesions for which treatment or follow-up evaluation is required
Hepatic adenoma and adenomatosis
Biliary cystadenoma
Hepatic abscess
Echinococcal cysts
Granulomatous Inflammation
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver
Malignant mass lesions for which treatment is required if feasible
HCC
Cholangiocarcinoma
Liver metastases from other primary sites
Biliary cystadenocarcinoma
Hepatic angiosarcoma
Lymphoma

Table 2. Recommended High-Risk Population for Screening for HCC
Patients with chronic HBV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen positivity)
Asian men older than age 40
Asian women older than age 50
Africans older than age 20
Patients with a family history of HCC
Patients with high HBV viral loads
Patients with evidence of active hepatitis
Patients with cirrhosis of any cause
Chronic hepatitis B
Chronic hepatitis C
Alcoholic cirrhosis
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Hereditary hemochromatosis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
α-1 antitrypsin deficiency