Variant Accessory Lobe of Liver

Many anatomists have studied the morphological aspects of the liver in considerable detail due to the intricacy of liver function and its importance to life. The presence of auxiliary lobes or livers is one of the less prevalent variances. Accessory lobes are normally asymptomatic and are linked to the liver by a peritoneal fold or a hepatic tissue bridge.

The aim is to study the morphology of the liver to document the presence of accessory lobe.

50 adult human livers were obtained from donated embalmed cadavers (42 male & 8 female) in the Department of Anatomy at K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, all ranging between age groups of 65 to 75 years. Only cadavers, whose clinical history excluded liver diseases, were used for the study.

5 specimens showed the presence of an accessory lobe on the under surface of the liver.

An accessory lobe is a very rare occurrence and hence when present becomes clinically important. Injury to the accessory lobe or its vascular pedicle might result in bleeding into the abdominal cavity. Accessory lobes need attention when there is torsion of the vascular pedicle or metastasis occurring in them. Torsion of the accessory lobes is a surgical emergency. Knowledge of the presence of an accessory lobe of liver is useful for radiologists and surgeons in diagnosing, surgical planning and avoiding iatrogenic injuries of the accessory lobe.