Hepatic masses come to clinical attention when they are perceived by the patient, discovered on physical examination by the physician, or, most commonly, detected on diagnostic radiologic studies. Technologic advances and the expanded use of imaging techniques for evaluating abdominal complaints have led to the increased documentation of hepatic masses, either related to the patient's complaint or coincidentally discovered. The differential diagnosis of hepatic masses includes numerous benign and malignant entities. Because there are numerous diagnostic options, safe, timely, and cost-efficient evaluation is dictated by the clinical context in which the lesion is discovered.

In this article, the clinical features and radiologic appearances of the most frequently encountered causes of hepatic masses are discussed. In addition, diagnostic approaches for common clinical settings in which these lesions are found are considered.