Presumptive case of sparganosis manifesting as a hepatic mass: A case report and literature review

World J Radiol. 2016 Oct 28;8(10):846-850. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v8.i10.846.

Abstract

A 60-year-old man was admitted due to rectosigmoid colon cancer, and a hepatic mass was incidentally found during the staging work-up. The mass appeared cystic with a thick wall and contained multiple bizarre cord-like structures on ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The differential diagnoses included organizing abscess/hematoma, foreign body granuloma and parasite infestation. Serologic study revealed anti-sparganum antibodies. Over 4-year follow-up, the patient did not complain of symptoms, and no changes in the characteristics of the liver mass were observed. Hepatic sparganosis is rare; only two cases have been clinically reported, and no detailed radiologic description was available until now. This case report presents a detailed radiologic description of a hepatic mass that could most likely represent hepatic sparganosis.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Liver; Magnetic resonance imaging; Parasites; Sparganosis; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports