Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report

An accessory liver lobe (ALL) represents a rare congenital variation of liver tissue, typically resulting from focal excessive development of liver tissue. Torsion of such lobes, though rare, can precipitate a severe surgical crisis due to hepatic ischemia and failure. We report a case involving a 9...

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Main Authors: Soumaya Charaa, Julien Frandon, Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun, Benoit Tessier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1530918/full
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author Soumaya Charaa
Soumaya Charaa
Julien Frandon
Julien Frandon
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Benoit Tessier
Benoit Tessier
author_facet Soumaya Charaa
Soumaya Charaa
Julien Frandon
Julien Frandon
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Benoit Tessier
Benoit Tessier
author_sort Soumaya Charaa
collection DOAJ
description An accessory liver lobe (ALL) represents a rare congenital variation of liver tissue, typically resulting from focal excessive development of liver tissue. Torsion of such lobes, though rare, can precipitate a severe surgical crisis due to hepatic ischemia and failure. We report a case involving a 9-year-old patient who was admitted with acute epigastric pain. Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT scans revealed a heterogeneous, avascular mass with displacement of the gallbladder, which had a thickened wall. During laparotomy, a twisted, congested ALL along with the gallbladder was surgically removed. Diagnostic imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), plays a crucial role in the rapid identification of causes behind acute abdominal pain, necessitating meticulous analysis of CT scans. We share the findings from imaging and surgery to enhance awareness of this rare condition.
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series Frontiers in Pediatrics
spelling doaj-art-83d830186fb14b658971e41e7c1b51d92025-08-20T03:01:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-03-011310.3389/fped.2025.15309181530918Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case reportSoumaya Charaa0Soumaya Charaa1Julien Frandon2Julien Frandon3Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun4Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun5Benoit Tessier6Benoit Tessier7Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Nîmes University Hospital Center, University of Montpellier-Nîmes, Nîmes, FranceMedical Imaging Group Nîmes (MIG Nîmes), Nîmes, FranceDepartment of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Nîmes University Hospital Center, University of Montpellier-Nîmes, Nîmes, FranceMedical Imaging Group Nîmes (MIG Nîmes), Nîmes, FranceDepartment of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Nîmes University Hospital Center, University of Montpellier-Nîmes, Nîmes, FranceMedical Imaging Group Nîmes (MIG Nîmes), Nîmes, FranceDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier University Hospital Centre, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, FranceInstitute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM UMR 1302, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, FranceAn accessory liver lobe (ALL) represents a rare congenital variation of liver tissue, typically resulting from focal excessive development of liver tissue. Torsion of such lobes, though rare, can precipitate a severe surgical crisis due to hepatic ischemia and failure. We report a case involving a 9-year-old patient who was admitted with acute epigastric pain. Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT scans revealed a heterogeneous, avascular mass with displacement of the gallbladder, which had a thickened wall. During laparotomy, a twisted, congested ALL along with the gallbladder was surgically removed. Diagnostic imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), plays a crucial role in the rapid identification of causes behind acute abdominal pain, necessitating meticulous analysis of CT scans. We share the findings from imaging and surgery to enhance awareness of this rare condition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1530918/fullaccessory liver lobetorsionliversurgerycomputed tomographyultrasound
spellingShingle Soumaya Charaa
Soumaya Charaa
Julien Frandon
Julien Frandon
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Ghizlane Touimi Benjelloun
Benoit Tessier
Benoit Tessier
Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
Frontiers in Pediatrics
accessory liver lobe
torsion
liver
surgery
computed tomography
ultrasound
title Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
title_full Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
title_fullStr Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
title_full_unstemmed Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
title_short Twists and turns: spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder—diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions—a case report
title_sort twists and turns spontaneous torsion of accessory liver lobe and gallbladder diagnostic challenges and surgical interventions a case report
topic accessory liver lobe
torsion
liver
surgery
computed tomography
ultrasound
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1530918/full
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