Incremental value of live/real-time three-dimensional transesophageal
echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the
identification of accessory liver lobe presenting as a right atrial mass
Abstract
We describe an adult patient with a large right atrial mass which was
found to have the same echotexture as adjacent liver tissue on
two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE). By using
live/real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography
(3DTEE), we were able to examine the mass by meticulous cropping and
confirm the echotexture was similar to liver tissue throughout its
extent. Three-dimensional cropping also redemonstrated in a definitive
manner that the mass was in continuity with liver. Thus, in our patient
3DTEE served to increase the confidence level of making a definitive
diagnosis of a supernumerary lobe of liver. To the best of our
knowledge, the incremental value of 3DTEE over 2DTEE in diagnosing a
supernumerary liver lobe has not been reported previously. The mass was
surgically resected and the findings confirmed as liver tissue by
pathological examination.