Abstract :
The complexity of liver function and its importance to life has encouraged many anatomists to study the morphological features of the liver in great detail. Despite recent technological advances like CT, MRI and USG, detailed study of the cadaveric liver can still contribute to identification of important anatomical variations.
The liver can present a number of congenital anomalies. More common among them are the irregularities of the shape and the number of lobules. The less common variations include the presence of accessory lobes or accessory livers. The accessory lobes may be attached to the liver through a mesentery or a bridge of the hepatic tissue and they are usually asymptomatic. An accessory liver lobe is a very rare occurrence and when it exists, it becomes clinically important because of its rarity.
Materials and Methods: A study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of K. J. Somaiya Medical College in which 50 liver from donated embalmed cadavers were examined for the presence of accessory lobe. Only cadavers, whose clinical history excluded liver diseases, were used for the study.
Results: 10% specimens showed accessory lobe. All are present on the under surface of liver. Clinical Significance: Among the less common abnormalities, are the formations of accessory lobes. Accessory lobes may carry the risk of torsion.
Conclusions: Knowledge of the presence of a small accessory lobe of the liver near the porta hepatis is useful for surgeons and radiologists in diagnosing, surgical planning and avoiding iatrogenic injuries of the accessory lobe.
Keyword :
Liver, Accessory lobe, Donated embalmed cadavers, CT, MRI, USG, Congenital anomalies, Asymptomatic,
Surgeons and radiologists.