Anterior Displacement of the Inferior Vena Cava By Hepatic Masses

Two cases are reported in which hepatomas produced anterior displacement of the inferior vena cava, and because of this displacement were originally considered to represent retroperitoneal masses. The hepatoma in one case involved the caudate lobe and in the other the right lobe of the liver, with neither case having evidence of retroperitoneal disease. No previous inferior vena cavagram has been published which showed anterior displacement of the vena cava by a hepatic mass. Hepatic masses must be considered in the differential diagnosis when the upper portion of the inferior vena cava is displaced anteriorly. The anatomic factors which allow intrahe patic masses to displace the vena cava anteriorly are discussed.