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Nematode infection of the liver mimicking metastasis of malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Maier M.,
Tappe D.,
Töpfer C.,
Rosenwald A.,
Gassel H.J.,
Timm S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01288.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , pathology , hepatocellular carcinoma , metastasis , medicine , differential diagnosis , infestation , histopathology , biology , cancer , cancer research , botany
Background: The differential diagnoses of a circumscribed mass of the liver are varied. Especially if a malignant tumor, capable of setting metastases to the liver, is known in a patient's medical history, there might be difficulties in differentiating the tumor's entity. Casuistry: We report a case of a 40‐year‐old male with a history of malignant melanoma in whom follow‐up investigations revealed a mass in the liver. Results: The histopathological and microbiological results, however, showed an infestation of liver tissue with nematodes. Malignant tumor cells could not be detected. Conclusions: Roundworm‐infections of the liver can present as lesions suspicious of being malignant. Therefore, along with e.g. microhamartoma, microabscesses and hepatocellular carcinoma, infestation with nematodes should be taken into consideration.