Hepatic atrophy

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 30 Mar 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Bell D, Hepatic atrophy. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-165632

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-165632

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/165632

rID:

165632

Article created:

29 Mar 2023, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Last revised:

30 Mar 2023, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

1 time, by 1 contributor - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Hepatobiliary

Sections:

Signs

Synonyms:

Hepatic atrophies
Liver atrophy
Atrophy of the liver
Atrophy of liver
Liver atrophies
Atrophic liver
Hypotrophy of the liver
Hypotrophy of liver
Hypotrophic liver

Hepatic atrophy is a common appearance on imaging of the liver. It may result from obstruction of a major branch of the portal vein, bile ducts or hepatic veins. It does not usually occur secondary to hepatic arterial flow compromise. Compensatory hypertrophy of the unaffected segments/lobes is common, leading to the so-called atrophy-hypertrophy complex.

Pathology

Etiology

cirrhosis
malignancy ²
- hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the commonest malignant cause
  - other cholangiocarcinomas can also cause atrophy
- HCC: if significant bile duct, portal vein or hepatic vein compromise
- hepatic metastases: if significant bile duct, portal vein or hepatic vein compromise
iatrogenic: e.g. post cholecystectomy ², portal vein embolization ³,
parasitic biliary infections e.g. Clonorchis sinensis, Ascaris lumbricoides, hydatid disease ⁴
choledocholithiasis: rare
benign neoplasms: rare
- papilloma, cystadenoma
trauma ⁶
Chilaiditi syndrome ⁸