Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Report of a case and literature review.

The radiologic and histologic features of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver in a 62-year-old man are presented. The lesion was coincidentally discovered during clinical work-up of an acute pancreatitis caused by choledocholithiasis. Malignancy was suspected in the light of the radiologic presentation. To our knowledge, only 23 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver have appeared in the international literature. Its etiology remains unknown, although reactive-inflammatory or infectious mechanisms have been suggested. The present case seemed to be associated with bile flow obstruction, as the mass partially regressed following cholecystectomy and Vaterian sphincterotomy. Therefore, a hypothetical obstructive pathogenetic mechanism is considered. We conclude that this tumor-like condition must be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid masses in the liver.