Focal lesion in the liver refers to an abnormal growth or mass of cells in the liver that is localized to a specific area. Focal liver lesions (FLLs) are a common reason for consultation to a hepatobiliary service, and they often need further workup and investigations. There are different types of liver lesions, including benign and malignant ones. Benign liver lesions are usually asymptomatic and do not pose a threat themselves, but they can easily be mistaken for other malignant lesions in radiographic images. On the other hand, malignant liver lesions are cancerous and can spread to other areas of the body.

Liver lesions are detected through radiographic imaging, such as an ultrasound, CT, or MRI. Once a liver lesion is detected, a radiologist will need to identify the type and nature of the lesion (cancerous vs noncancerous) . This is extremely important, as the correct treatment and management approach varies greatly from one kind of liver lesion to the next. The most important tests used to diagnose liver lesions are abdominal imaging such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, as well as tumor markers and biopsy.

In summary, a focal lesion in the liver refers to an abnormal growth or mass of cells in the liver that is localized to a specific area. There are different types of liver lesions, including benign and malignant ones, and they are detected through radiographic imaging. The correct treatment and management approach depend on the type and nature of the lesion.