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Case Reports
. 2006 Jul 18;8(3):11.

Massive primary hepatic tuberculoma mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in an immunocompetent host

Matthew J Brookes  1 , Melanie Field, Dee M Dawkins, Joan Gearty, Paul Wilson
Affiliations
Case Reports

Massive primary hepatic tuberculoma mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in an immunocompetent host

Matthew J Brookes et al. MedGenMed. .

Abstract

Tuberculoma of the liver is rare in an immunocompetent individual. We report a 26-year-old man with upper abdominal pain, abnormal liver function, and raised inflammatory markers. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mixed attenuation lesion measuring 6 x 5 cm occupying most of the left lobe of the liver. Subsequent histology and culture confirmed tuberculous abscess. Following antituberculous therapy, repeat CT scan revealed complete resolution of the initial findings. This case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties of hepatic tuberculosis (TB) and the importance of considering TB in patients with hepatic lesions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan revealing a 6-cm by 5-cm mixed attenuating lesion in the left lobe, and a 4-cm lesion in the right lobe of the liver.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histology revealing a granulomatous inflammation, little preservation of liver architecture, and presence of Langhans cells (arrow). (200× magnification, H and E stain)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Contrast enhanced abdominal CT following 6 months of quadruple therapy, revealing a complete resolution of the lesions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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