Chilaiditi sign is the incidental radiologic finding of intestinal interposition between the liver and diaphragm, whereas Chilaiditi syndrome describes the presence of accompanying clinical symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, and respiratory distress. We describe a case of radiotracer accumulation over the liver dome on Tc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scan performed on a 72-year-old man with acute cholecystitis mimicking a bile leak. However, chest radiograph and CT revealed intestinal hepatodiaphragmatic interposition. This case illustrates the importance of being familiar with the scintigraphic appearance of the Chilaiditi sign and correlating abnormal nuclear medicine scan findings with other available radiologic modalities.
From the Section of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Clin Nucl Med. 2016 Jun 1; 41 (6): 488-9.
AbstractChilaiditi sign is the incidental radiologic finding of intestinal interposition between the liver and diaphragm, whereas Chilaiditi syndrome describes the presence of accompanying clinical symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, and respiratory distress. We describe a case of radiotracer accumulation over the liver dome on Tc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scan performed on a 72-year-old man with acute cholecystitis mimicking a bile leak. However, chest radiograph and CT revealed intestinal hepatodiaphragmatic interposition. This case illustrates the importance of being familiar with the scintigraphic appearance of the Chilaiditi sign and correlating abnormal nuclear medicine scan findings with other available radiologic modalities.