ABSTRACT. Calcifying fibrous tumour (CFT) is a recently recognised rare benign lesion characterised by dense hyalinised collagenous tissue, psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications and a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The usual locations of the lesion are the soft tissues of the extremities, but rarely it occurs in the abdomen. Recently, we experienced a case of CFT found in the liver of a 29-year-old woman. Here, we describe the characteristic radiological and histopathological findings, along with a review of the relevant literature. Calcifying fibrous tumour (CFT) is a recently recognised rare benign lesion characterised by dense hyalinised collagenous tissue interspersed with benign spindle cells, psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications and a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. To date, fewer than 80 cases have been reported in the literature. Usually, these tumours occur in the soft tissues of the extremities and trunk, followed by the neck, axilla and pleura. Rare sporadic cases have been reported, with the tumour occurring in various anatomical sites such as the groin, scrotum, adrenal gland, breast, peritoneum and mesentery [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].We present a case of a CFT found in the liver and describe the characteristic radiological and histopathological findings, along with a review of the relevant literature.
Case reportA 29-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a palpable mass on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen that had been present for 3 weeks. She had given birth approximately 3 months previously and her medical history was unremarkable. On physical examination, a hard mass was palpable on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and there was minimal tenderness. Viral markers for hepatitis and the level of tumour markers such as serum a-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were within normal limits. Other laboratory findings were also normal.The patient underwent a helical CT scan (Somatom Plus 32, Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany) of the liver. Contrast-enhanced dynamic CT revealed a 10 6 10 cm solid mass in segments V and VI of the right lobe of the liver. The mass was well demarcated and showed an exophytic growth pattern. On pre-contrast images, multiple laminated and amorphous calcifications were detected within the mass. After iv injection of contrast material, the mass was slowly enhanced. On 4 min delayed images, a large portion of the mass was enhanced (Figure 1). Liver MRI (1.5 T Magnetom Vision, Siemens Medical Systems) was performed for further evaluation of the mass 4 days after the CT scan. The mass showed as dark signal intensity on T 2 weighted images and slightly low signal intensity on T 1 weighted images. The contrast enhancement pattern on MRI was the same as with the CT scan (Figure 2). Ultrasound study of the abdomen showed severe posterior acoustic shadowing from the anterior portion of the mass, owing to dense calcifications. The mass could not be penetrated by an 18-gauge biopsy needle because of hardness from calcification. Consequ...