Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report

IntroductionEctopic liver tissue (ELT) is a rare embryological anomaly most commonly found in the abdominal region, particularly on the gallbladder. It is generally asymptomatic and is often discovered incidentally during surgery or autopsy. Although histologically similar to the main liver, ELT sho...

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Main Author: Ahmet Cihangir Emral
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1565209/full
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author Ahmet Cihangir Emral
author_facet Ahmet Cihangir Emral
author_sort Ahmet Cihangir Emral
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEctopic liver tissue (ELT) is a rare embryological anomaly most commonly found in the abdominal region, particularly on the gallbladder. It is generally asymptomatic and is often discovered incidentally during surgery or autopsy. Although histologically similar to the main liver, ELT should be excised due to the potential risk of malignancy.Case presentationThis study presents a case of incidental ELT discovered during elective cholecystectomy in a 34-year-old female patient. Preoperative imaging revealed multiple gallstones, and during laparoscopic exploration, an ectopic liver tissue lesion was found on the gallbladder fundus. The lesion, measuring 10 × 5 mm, was excised en bloc with the gallbladder and sent for pathological examination, which showed no malignancy.DiscussionThe rarity and asymptomatic nature of ELT make it difficult to diagnose preoperatively, but its association with malignant transformation warrants careful management. In cases of suspected malignancy, further surgical approaches such as extended surgical margins and regional lymph node dissection should be considered.ConclusionThis case underscores the importance of early detection and excision of ectopic liver tissue due to its potential for malignant transformation.
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spelling doaj-art-e794b57d1ec041b7bef999ee953aee792025-08-20T01:51:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-05-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.15652091565209Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case reportAhmet Cihangir EmralIntroductionEctopic liver tissue (ELT) is a rare embryological anomaly most commonly found in the abdominal region, particularly on the gallbladder. It is generally asymptomatic and is often discovered incidentally during surgery or autopsy. Although histologically similar to the main liver, ELT should be excised due to the potential risk of malignancy.Case presentationThis study presents a case of incidental ELT discovered during elective cholecystectomy in a 34-year-old female patient. Preoperative imaging revealed multiple gallstones, and during laparoscopic exploration, an ectopic liver tissue lesion was found on the gallbladder fundus. The lesion, measuring 10 × 5 mm, was excised en bloc with the gallbladder and sent for pathological examination, which showed no malignancy.DiscussionThe rarity and asymptomatic nature of ELT make it difficult to diagnose preoperatively, but its association with malignant transformation warrants careful management. In cases of suspected malignancy, further surgical approaches such as extended surgical margins and regional lymph node dissection should be considered.ConclusionThis case underscores the importance of early detection and excision of ectopic liver tissue due to its potential for malignant transformation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1565209/fullectopic liver tissuegallbladderlaparoscopic cholecystectomymalignant transformationhepatocellular carcinoma
spellingShingle Ahmet Cihangir Emral
Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
Frontiers in Surgery
ectopic liver tissue
gallbladder
laparoscopic cholecystectomy
malignant transformation
hepatocellular carcinoma
title Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
title_full Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
title_fullStr Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
title_short Incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy: a case report
title_sort incidental detection of ectopic liver tissue during elective cholecystectomy a case report
topic ectopic liver tissue
gallbladder
laparoscopic cholecystectomy
malignant transformation
hepatocellular carcinoma
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1565209/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ahmetcihangiremral incidentaldetectionofectopiclivertissueduringelectivecholecystectomyacasereport