Mass-like hepatic tuberculomas

Discussion:

This is a case of hepatic tuberculosis (TB) presenting as tumor-like masses. Hepatic TB is uncommon and accounts for less than 1% of all tuberculous infections. The disease may present at any age but is most commonly seen in young adults. The macronodular form of hepatic TB may present either as multiple 1 - 3 cm lesions or as a large tumor-like mass. Macronodular TB lesions have been referred to by a variety of names, including tuberculoma, pseudotumoral TB and tuberculous abscess. The imaging appearances of macronodular lesions are nonspecific and may appear identical to a pyogenic abscess, metastases, and primary liver tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Cross-sectional imaging alone may be insufficient in reaching a conclusive diagnosis, and image-guided biopsy is needed in most cases to obtain a definitive histological diagnosis.

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