Hepatic Lymphoma





KEY FACTS


Terminology




  • •

    Neoplasm of lymphoid tissues in liver



Imaging




  • •

    No known specific imaging findings for diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma


  • •

    Hepatic lymphoma often favors periportal areas due to high content of lymphatic tissue


  • •

    Grayscale ultrasound



    • ○

      Discrete form: Multiple well-defined, hypoechoic masses



      • –

        Hypoechogenicity due to high cellular density and lack of background stroma



    • ○

      Infiltrative form: Innumerable subcentimeter hypoechoic foci, miliary in pattern and periportal in location



      • –

        May be indistinguishable from normal liver




  • •

    CECT



    • ○

      Solid lesions with poor contrast enhancement


    • ○

      Usually homogeneous density and rarely necrotic


    • ○

      May have thin rim enhancement


    • ○

      Diffuse, infiltrative, low-density areas




Top Differential Diagnoses




  • •

    Metastases


  • •

    Multifocal/diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)


  • •

    Liver abscesses


  • •

    Hemangiomas


  • •

    Focal fat infiltration/sparing


  • •

    Hepatic cysts



Clinical Issues




  • •

    Primary hepatic lymphoma is rare


  • •

    Secondary hepatic involvement is more common



Diagnostic Checklist




  • •

    Rule out other multiple liver lesions: Metastasis, HCCs, hepatic cysts, abscesses, hemangiomas


  • •

    Confirmation may require needle biopsy



Scanning Tips




  • •

    Hepatic lymphoma often has pseudocystic appearance; lack of specular reflection of backwall is helpful clue that lesions are not cystic and rather solid markedly hypoechoic masses




Nov 10, 2024 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Hepatic Lymphoma

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