Objective: To study the spectrum and clinical profile of patients with space occupying lesion (SOL) in liver.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July, 2014 to June, 2015, on 109 consecutive patients with SOL in liver, detected on ultrasonography of abdomen, at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, in the sub Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. History, physical examination, and laboratory investigations were recorded. Relevant radiological investigations and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology were also performed.
Results: The median (range) age of patients was 50 (20-90) years. Majority of them were from lower socioeconomic class. Males (n=75, 69%) were more commonly affected than females (n=33, 31%). Benign SOLs (n=62, 57%) were more common than tumors and tumor like SOLs (n=47, 43%). Liver metastasis (n=36, 33%) was the most common cause of SOL in liver followed by amoebic liver abscess(27, 25%).Metastases from Gastrointestinal Tract tumors and Lung tumors were most common.
Conclusion: In the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh, majority of the SOLs in liver occur in males, affecting in 5th decade. Liver metastasis was the most common cause followed by liver abscess.