Hepatopulmonary fusion (HPF) is an extremely rare condition characterized by the herniation of the liver and its fusion with the right lung parenchyma. Fewer than 40 cases of this condition have been reported in medical literature, and while imaging methods such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been used for diagnosis, there is a lack of comprehensive ultrasound findings. This paper addresses the need for detailed ultrasound documentation by presenting the chest ultrasound findings in a case of HPF, which adds valuable information to the limited available data on this condition.
The study was conducted by Rosa Morello and Danilo Buonsenso from the Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, and the Centro Di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy. In this case, Morello, under the supervision of Buonsenso, performed a thorough ultrasound examination of a patient diagnosed with HPF. Their findings provide insight into the ultrasound characteristics of this rare condition, demonstrating how ultrasound can play a key role in the diagnostic process for such complex cases.
The paper emphasizes the need for greater awareness of the diagnostic potential of ultrasound in identifying HPF, as it has often been overlooked in previous literature. Despite being a rare condition, HPF can be detected through ultrasound, which could improve diagnosis and inform appropriate clinical management. The findings of this study highlight the significance of incorporating ultrasound into the diagnostic toolkit for rare conditions like HPF, offering a less invasive and potentially more accessible method for early detection.
