Left hepatic lobe necrosis after laparoscopic treatment of a hiatal hernia

The patient aged 66 years was admitted to the General Surgery Clinic for pain in the upper abdominal quadrant with posterior irradiation and weight loss. Two and a half years before the patient underwent surgery for a hiatal hernia when a Nissen fundoplication was performed by laparoscopic approach. CT was performed which confirmed the presence of a large abscess at the level of the left hepatic lobe and lobe atrophy (Figure no. 1, Figure no. 2). Surgery was undertaken. Abdominal exploration identified ischemia and necrosis of segments 2 and 3 of the liver so a resection was decided upon (Figure no. 3, Figure no 4). The postoperative evolution was favorable. NB: Ischemic necrosis of the left hepatic lobe most likely occurred after the surgical treatment of the hiatal hernia when the left hepatic artery was resected on dissection which was probably the only source of blood supply for the left lobe. It is important that these vascular abnormalities are known by the surgeon so during dissection of the gastrohepatic ligament any arteries identified should be protected to avoid a possible necrosis of the left hepatic lobe.

Case 9.5

75-year-old woman with abdominal cramping and diarrhea; CT at an outside institution found an indeterminate mass, possibly an exophytic hepatic hemangioma Axial arterial phase (Figure 9.5.1) and equilibrium phase (Figure 9.5.2.) 3D SPGR images reveal a heterogeneously enhancing mass in the gastrohepatic ligament originating from the lesser curvature of the stomach. Equilibrium phase images show some accumulation of contrast agent within the lesion. Axial fat-suppressed 2D SSFP images (...

Case 4.29

84-year-old woman who palpated a mass in her upper abdomen Coronal SSFSE images (Figure 4.29.1) demonstrate a large heterogeneous mass in the gastrohepatic ligament originating from the pancreas and displacing the stomach to the left. Note the high-signal-intensity lesion in the anterior left hepatic lobe. Axial fat-suppressed FSE T2-weighted images (...