Multifocal Nodular Lesions in Fatty Liver Mimicking Neoplastic Disease: a Case Report

Abstract

Usually, fatty hepatic infiltration is diffuse and homogeneous. However, in some cases, it can be localized simulating benign or malignant tumors. We present a case of a 61-year-old female patient with family history of malignancy: sister with lung cancer, an other sister with colon cancer and a mother with breast cancer; who presented with multiple hepatic nodules at the ultrasonography images. CT scan and MRI were not sufficient to pose a certain diagnosis which was later confirmed by liver biopsy.

Plain Language Summary

In some cases, fatty hepatic infiltration may simulate benign or malignant tumors. We present a case of a 61-year-old female patient with family history of malignancy who presented with multiple hepatic nodules at the ultrasonography images. CT scan and MRI were not sufficient to pose a certain diagnosis which was later confirmed by liver biopsy.

Keywords:

• fatty liver
• liver biopsy
• metastasis
• NASH
• steatosis

Author contributions

Conceptualization: M Moalla, A Khsiba, K Bouzaidi and C Emna. Data curation: M Moalla and A Khsiba. Formal analysis: M Moalla and A Khsiba. No one investigation: M Moalla, A Khsiba, K bouzaidi and E Chelbi. Methodology: M Moalla and A Khsiba. Project administration: M Moalla, A Khsiba, K Bouzaidi and E Chelbi. Resources: M Moalla, A Khsiba, K Bouzaidi and E Chelbi. Software: M Moalla and A Khsiba. Supervision: MM Azzouz. Validation: M Mahmoudi, AB Mohamed, M Yacoubi, M Medhioub and L Hamzaoui. Visualization: MM Azzouz. Writing – Original draft preparation: M Moalla and A Khsiba.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Informed consent disclosure

The authors state that for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.