Imaging of aberrant left gastric vein and associated pseudolesions of segments II and III of the liver and mimickers

Abstract

We present imaging findings of aberrant left gastric vein (ALGV) and associated pseudolesions and mimickers including metastases and focal nodular hyperplasia. ALGV is formed due to interrupted involution of anastomotic omental veins, and it can drain into left portal vein or segments II and III of the liver as third inflow. Focal fat, focal fat sparing, and perfusion changes can be seen due to the presence of ALGV, which can mimic metastasis in cancer patients. ALGV may also serve as a pathway for direct tumor spread into the liver in patients with gastric cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used as a problem solving tool in the presence of equivocal findings on ultrasonography and computed tomography.