A rare cause of acute abdomen: an isolated falciform ligament necrosis

Spontaneous falciform ligament necrosis: A rare case report

Spontaneous and isolated necrosis of the falciform ligament is a rare condition. A 55-year-old lady presented with sudden onset of epigastric pain, fever and vomiting. Laboratory studies revealed less than three-fold increase in serum amylase and lipase levels. Ultrasound examination and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed features suggestive of inflammation and necrosis of the falciform ligament involving ligamentum teres hepatis and extending to the lesser omentum with an adjacent minimal ill-defined collection. Then, conservative management was started. However, the symptoms did not resolve completely. Therefore, CECT scan was repeated 12 days later which showed findings similar to previous scan with expansion and organization of the collection anterior to lesser omentum with peripheral enhancement, suggestive of an abscess. A minimally invasive approach to treatment was adopted. Aspiration of the collection was performed under ultrasound guidance. This was followed by continuation of supportive management. The patient improved clinically and was discharged. This case study highlights the importance of imaging in the diagnosis of falciform ligament necrosis. An innovative minimally invasive approach to treatment in the form of ultrasound guided aspiration may be considered when a collection is present adjacent to the necrosed falciform ligament.

An Analysis of the Anomalous Fissure of the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis: A Morphological Perspective in the North Indian Population

Background The liver, being the largest internal organ of the body shows a variety of gross morphological variations about lobes, fissures and processes which may be clinically significant. Among various anatomical variations, the most found is the variant fissure for ligamentum teres hepatis. The present study was done to classify, review, compare and discuss the literature for anomalies in fissures for ligamentum teres hepatis. Methods A total of 100 formalin-preserved human livers were obtained from the Department of Anatomy of King George's Medical University, Lucknow, and studied for one year. Result In our study, 15% of the liver showed morphological variations in fissures for ligamentum teres hepatis. These were classified into four types. In type I (2%), the fissure was converted into a tunnel by pons hepatis. In type II (3%), there was an incomplete fissure for ligamentum teres hepatis extending into the diaphragmatic surface. In type III (4%), there was an incomplete fissure for ligamentum teres hepatis present only on the visceral surface. In type IV (6%), the fissure was covered by a thin membrane. Conclusion In this study of the North Indian population, 15% of liver have gross morphological variations. So thorough anatomical knowledge of the existence of variant or abnormal surface features on the liver is imperative to understanding the underlying pathology for radiologists and surgeons so that a favorable outcome can be achieved.

Laparoscopic left hepatectomy for a patient with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma metastasis in the falciform ligament: a case report

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is primary cancer of the liver with poor prognosis because of its high potential for recurrence and metastasis. We experienced a rare case of ICC with hematogenous metastasis to the falciform ligament. We aimed to clarify the route of metastasis to the mesentery by increasing the accuracy of preoperative imaging and establish a hepatectomy to control cancer.

Case presentation

An 85-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a detailed study of progressively increasing liver tumors. She had no subjective symptoms. Her medical history showed hypertension, aneurysm clipping for cerebral hemorrhage, and gallstones. A detailed physical examination and laboratory data evaluation included tumor markers but did not demonstrate any abnormalities. On computed tomography scan, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid, the tumor appeared to be located in liver segment IV, protruding outside the liver. It appeared to contain two distinct components; we suspected ICC in the intrahepatic tumor component. Laparoscopic observation revealed that the extrahepatic lesion was an intra-falciform ligament mass; laparoscopic left hepatectomy was performed. Microscopically, the main tumor in segment IV was 15 mm in diameter and was diagnosed as moderately and poorly differentiated ICC. The tumor of the intra-falciform ligament was not continuous with the main intrahepatic nodule and was also diagnosed as ICC with extensive necrosis. There were no infiltrates in the round ligament of the liver, and several tumor thrombi were found in the small veins of the falciform ligament.

Conclusions

To date, there have been a few reports of metastases of primary liver cancer to the falciform ligament. At the time of preoperative imaging and pathological diagnosis, this case was suggestive of considering that the malignant liver tumor might be suspected of metastasizing to the falciform ligament. Our case improves awareness of this pathology, which can be useful in the future when encountered by hepatic specialists and surgeons.

Infarcted ligamentum teres hepatis lipoma mimicking acute abdomen in a female patient: a case report and mini-review of the literature

Lipomas of the ligamentum teres hepatis are extremely uncommon. There have been only a few cases reported in the literature, including lipomas of the falciform ligament of the liver. Here we report a case of torsion and infarction of a lipoma of the ligamentum teres hepatis in a 43-year-old female patient, who presented with acute epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis was based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patient underwent exploratory laparoscopy followed by laparoscopic excision of the infracted lipoma. Finally, we also provide a mini-review of the literature in order to highlight that although rare, this pathology should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.

[Diagnosis of a sonographically negative extensive defect of the lig.falciforme hepatis]

This study assess the US diagnose of very rate extensive trapezoidal defect lig.falciforme hepatis. 2 patients with this condition were examined. Transabdominal ultrasound of this condition was unsuccessful, specific sonographic features of the defect is not revealed.

A Rare Finding of Falciform Ligament Thrombosis as a Sequel of Acute Pancreatitis

Falciform ligament (remnant of umbilical vein) is an anatomical structure that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall. This case reports a rare clinical presentation of falciform ligament thrombosis as a consequence of acute gallstone pancreatitis, in a patient with noncirrhotic liver. A 55-year-old female with a history of cholelithiasis was admitted with abdominal pain. Biochemistry profile showed hyperamylasemia and deranged liver function tests. Computerized Tomography (CT) revealed a 3 cm attenuated structure that can be traced up to the left portal vein, which represents an acute thrombosis of the falciform ligament. The patient was treated with Tinzaparin and subsequently anticoagulated. She subsequently had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and made an uneventful recovery. We suspect that pancreatitis caused thrombophlebitis subsequently leading to recanalization and thrombosis of the umbilical vein. Falciform ligament thrombosis is a rare and poorly described complication following pancreatitis which clinicians and radiologists should be aware of.

Unusual Cause of Epigastric Pain: Intra-Abdominal Focal Fat Infarction Involving Appendage of Falciform Ligament - Case Report and Review of Literature

Torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament, part of the spectrum of conditions known as intra-abdominal focal fat infarction (IFFI), is very rare with less than 20 cases reported on imaging so far. Here we report a case of torsion of the lipomatous appendage of the falciform ligament in a middle-aged female, diagnosed on ultrasound and computed tomography (CT). CT showed classical "hyperattenuating rim" sign in the anterior perihepatic space adjacent to the falciform ligament. We re-emphasize the importance of "hyperattenuating rim" sign on CT in recognizing IFFI in locations other than the pericolic region.

Torsion of Fatty Appendage of Falciform Ligament: Acute Abdomen in a Child

Torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament is an extremely rare condition that leads to severe abdominal pain and raised inflammatory markers. It can be recognised on ultrasound or CT scan. The pathophysiology is the same as that involved in the more common torsion and/or infarction of the greater omentum or epiploic appendages. The condition is best managed conservatively with anti-inflammatory analgesia, and the early recognition of this type of torsion may prevent unnecessary operative intervention to look for a source of abdominal pain. There have been five reported adult cases of a torted fatty appendage of the falciform ligament identified on ultrasound and CT scan, but no paediatric cases. We report a case of torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament in a ten-year-old boy and describe its imaging characteristics on CT scan.