Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver

Abstract

Inflammatory pseudotumors (plasma cell granulomas) are localized lesions consisting of a fibrous stroma, chronic inflammatory infiltrate with a predominance of plasma cells, and an absence of anaplasia, which can mimic malignant disease by their gross appearance. Reported in many sites, they are most frequently described in the lung. Twelve cases involving the liver and biliary tract have previously been reported. Here, a 77-year-old man who presented with fever and malaise was found to have a lesion in the left lobe of the liver, which, on exploration, was found to be an inflammatory pseudotumor. This patient, and each of those previously reported, has recovered uneventfully. Because of the benign course of this lesion, hepatectomy should be considered only in those instances in which the mass effect of the lesion is producing symptoms or in those cases in which a firm histologic diagnosis cannot be made preoperatively or by frozen section intraoperatively.