[Pseudotumorous "skip area" in subtotal hepatic steatosis. Echographic and computed tomographic aspects].
In 75 patients ultrasound (US) demonstrated fatty infiltration of the liver with diffuse increased echogenicity except for a solitary hypoechogenic area located in the quadrate lobe. The liver was also followed-up with US, computed tomography (CT), radionuclide scintigraphy, and fine needle biopsy: a skip area unaffected by steatosis was thus demonstrated. This study and further information found in literature allowed the authors to identify the particular US features which lead to a correct interpretation of these findings, which might otherwise be incorrectly diagnosed as suggestive of substitutive lesions (primary or secondary). These features are: 1) the location of skip areas, usually in the IV segment, in close relationship to a portal vessel; 2) their morphology, triangular, or inverted-V shaped; 3) the absence of mass effects upon the hepatic border and/or upon the adjacent vessels; 4) the presence of fatty liver infiltration; 5) the coexistence of a biohumoral pattern significant for diffuse hepatopathy; 6) the lack of change in US patterns during the follow-up.
Alessi
V
V
II Servizio di Radiologia, Ospedale Civico E. Benefratelli, Palermo.
Bianco
S
S
Marotta
R
R
Traina
G
G
D001706:Biopsy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
"Area indenne" pseudotumorale nella steatosi epatica subtotale. Aspetti ecografici e tomodensitometrici.