An accessory lobe of the liver disturbing closure of the umbilical ring

Abstract

The authors report a small omphalocele involving an accessory lobe of the liver (ALL) embedded in a cranial portion of the amniotic sac. The pedicle of liver tissue was markedly elongated. In this case, it was reasonable to assume that the ALL was formed during development of the embryonic body-wall folds and disturbed complete closure of the umbilical ring. Surgical resection of the ALL was performed to avoid its postoperative torsion. The pertinent literature is also reviewed.