Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in end-stage cirrhosis: CT-histopathologic correlation in 507 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency, distribution, size, and cause of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in patients with end-stage cirrhosis.


METHODS
Preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans from 507 hepatic transplantation patients with end-stage cirrhosis were reviewed for the presence, size, and location of enlarged (short-axis diameter > 1 cm) abdominal lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes were identified and resected at surgery. Resected livers were evaluated for malignant neoplasms. CT findings were correlated with histopathologic results.


RESULTS
Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes were detected with CT in 253 (50%) of the patients. The enlarged nodes were 1.1 x 1.1 to 3.0 x 4.5 cm in size and were most common in the portacaval space and porta hepatis. The frequency of enlarged nodes varied according to type of cirrhosis: They were most common in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (86% [43 of 50]) and least common in patients with alcohol-induced cirrhosis (37% [42 of 113]). Histologic evaluation revealed that the enlarged lymph nodes were due to benign nodal hyperplasia in 251 patients and malignant neoplasm in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes are common in patients with all forms of end-stage cirrhosis. In the absence of other evidence of malignancy, enlarged nodes in these patients should be considered a benign process, with no additional evaluation warranted.
Dodd
G D
GD
Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78284-7800, USA.
Baron
R L
RL
Oliver
J H
JH
Federle
M P
MP
Baumgartel
P B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media