Results: CT scans in the first eight patients showed two types of capsular retraction.

In one patient, capsular retraction was associated with central ulceration extending to and eroding the liver capsule.

Four of 253 patients studied prospectively had hepatic tumors with associated capsular retraction (prevalence, 2%).

Conclusion: Capsular retraction of the liver adjacent to hepatic tumors is an uncommon CT finding that appears to be specific for malignant hepatic tumors.