Solitary necrotic nodules of the liver with "ring"-like calcification: A case report

BACKGROUND: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver (SNNL) is a rare benign lesion with a complete necrotic core and a clear fibrous capsule containing elastic fibers. We present the case of a patient with a radiographic computed tomography (CT) finding of "ring"-like annular calcification within the lesion and postoperative pathologic diagnosis of necrotic nodules wrapped by dense fibers in liver tissue, as well as the patient's subsequent management and outcome. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old Chinese woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus treated with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, without any symptoms, was found to have hepatic space-occupying lesions by imaging examination at a health examination. A subsequent CT scan suggested a space-occupying lesion of the liver with annular calcification, which was not defined to be benign or malignant. After that, a laparoscopic hepatic space-occupying resection was performed. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was necrotic nodules wrapped by dense fibers in the liver tissue, and the final diagnosis was SNNL. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. CONCLUSION: There is a "ring"-like calcification in SNNL. This patient had a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, without a history of parasite infection, trauma, or tumor. Therefore, whether the etiology and pathological changes of SNNL are related to rheumatic immune diseases remains to be investigated.