Inhomogeneous Focal Fat Distribution as Pseudolesions in a Patient with Pancreatic Carcinoma

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v9i1.16

Keywords:

hepatic pseudolesion, focal steatosis, focal fat sparing, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, diffusion-weighted imaging, hepatobiliary-phase MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Abstract

A 66-year-old patient underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging during initial staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Several focal hepatic abnormalities raised concern for metastases. Their signal characteristics on T1-weighted imaging, absence of corresponding diffusion restriction, preserved hepatobiliary-phase enhancement, and benign appearance on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography supported interpretation as pseudolesions related to heterogeneous hepatic fat distribution rather than metastatic disease. The patient subsequently underwent Whipple surgery. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging two years later demonstrated locoregional recurrence without hepatic lesions, further supporting the original benign interpretation. This case illustrates how multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, complementary ultrasonography, and longitudinal follow-up can increase diagnostic confidence when focal fat alteration mimics liver metastases.

Author Biographies

  • David Weiss, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

    Radiologist in Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

  • Martin H. Maurer, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

    Martin H. Maurer is Full Professor and Chair of Radiology at University Medicine Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg.

References

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SJORANM article cover, Vol. 9 No. 1 (2024). Holographic symbolic illustration for article 35.

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Published

2024-06-09

Data Availability Statement

The clinical and imaging information supporting this case is contained within the article. Further information may be requested from the corresponding author, subject to patient privacy and applicable institutional requirements.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Case reports

License

Copyright (c) 2024 David Weiss, Martin Maurer

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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How to Cite

Weiss, D., & Maurer, M. H. (2024). Inhomogeneous Focal Fat Distribution as Pseudolesions in a Patient with Pancreatic Carcinoma. Swiss Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 9(1), 11-13. https://doi.org/10.59667/sjoranm.v9i1.16

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