Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) is a cyst-forming epithelial neoplasm. The most distinguishing feature is the ovarian-type subepithelial stroma on pathological examination.

CASE SUMMARY

An abdominal ultrasound incidentally revealed a liver tumor in a 32-year-old woman. Physical and laboratory examination results did not reveal any abnormalities. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic space measuring 7.2 cm × 5.4 cm in the liver. Subsequent CT showed an increase in tumor size. Thus, we performed surgical resection of the tumor and gallbladder. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of MCN-L. At the 6-mo of follow-up, no recurrence was observed on ultrasound or CT.

CONCLUSION

Since preoperative diagnosis of MCN-L is difficult, active surgery is recommended and helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of MCN-L.

Keywords: Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Ovarian-type subepithelial stroma; Pathological examination; Case report

Core Tip: We have presented a case of mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver that was diagnosed after surgical resection. The patient was asymptomatic and the disease was detected through abdominal imaging. Although we used multiple diagnostic modalities, an accurate diagnosis completely depended on postoperative pathological examination. We believe that surgical resection is an efficient option for cystic tumors of the liver found on imaging examination.