Accessory hepatic lobes in the pediatric population: A report of three cases of torsion and literature review

Abstract

Congenital liver anomalies are uncommon. Symptomatic accessory hepatic lobes (AHL), either in continuity with the liver or ectopically located, are even less common. AHL have been reported in individuals spanning from neonates to octogenarians and are typically asymptomatic, however when symptomatic often require surgical intervention. We report three new cases of AHL in children (mean = 14.6 years). All three presented with sudden onset of abdominal pain and were diagnosed preoperatively by imaging findings. All three patients had symptom resolution following resection of the torsed accessory liver lobes. We report here the largest series of pediatric AHL torsion at a single institution to date, review the classification schemes, identify diagnostic imaging findings, and summarize associated congenital disorders that should raise suspicion for accessory hepatic lobes.

Keywords

• Accessory liver lobe
• Accessory hepatic lobe
• Ectopic liver
• Accessory liver
• Accessory liver lobe torsion