Anterior hepatic grooves accompanied by Chilaiditi sign: a retrospective radiological analysis of a neglected anatomical fact

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate anterior hepatic grooves (AHGs) associated with hepato-diaphragmatic mesocolic indentations (Chilaiditi sign) and to delineate the incidence and potential clinical significance of this association.

Methods: Between November 2011 and June 2014, abdominal computed tomography examinations of 2,314 patients with varied indications were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were surveyed consecutively for the Chilaiditi sign and syndrome, and cases with grooves at the antero-inferior hepatic surface enclosing the adjacent mesocolic indents were determined. The incidence of AHGs and their predominance by gender and age were determined. The potential clinical significance of AHGs associated with Chilaiditi syndrome and their possible effect on liver volume were assessed.

Results: The incidences of AHGs were similar between genders (p = .461 and p = .646) and age (p = .113 and .621, respectively) among total cohort and patients with Chilaiditi sign, respectively. There was no significant correlation between AHGs and Chilaiditi syndrome (p = .506); no efficacies of AHGs to liver volume were assessed (p = .413).

Conclusions: The AHGs are rare adaptive changes in shape of the liver without a significant effect on liver volume. This overlooked phenomenon is likely derived from the Chilaiditi sign, but has no significant correlation with Chilaiditi syndrome. Future studies with extended series are encouraged to reveal the possible significance of this phenomenon based on concerned surgical interventions.