Peri-hepatic lymphadenopathy in primary biliary cirrhosis reflects progression of the disease.
OBJECTIVE
We prospectively investigated the peri-hepatic lymph node volume in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and healthy controls to evaluate the correlation with histology, biochemical and immunological features.


METHODS
The total peri-hepatic lymph node volume in the liver hilus was evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound in 67 consecutive patients with PBC and in 43 healthy controls. Stages I-IV of PBC were biochemically, immunologically and histologically proven in all patients.


RESULTS
Adequate visualization of the liver hilus was achieved in 59/67 patients (88%) with PBC and in 39/43 healthy controls (91%). Lymph nodes in the liver hilus were sonographically detected in all 59 patients with PBC and in 26/39 healthy controls (67%) with adequate visualization of the liver hilus. The mean peri-hepatic lymph node volumes were: stage I (n = 9): 0.8 +/- 0.5 ml; stage II (n = 28): 2.4 +/- 1.5 ml; stage III (n = 21): 4.2 +/- 2.3 ml; stage IV (n = 9): 3.2 +/- 1.0 ml. The peri-hepatic lymph node volume did not significantly correlate with cholestasis, liver function tests or the immunological status.


CONCLUSIONS
Enlarged lymph nodes in the liver hilus are sonographically detectable in almost all patients with PBC. The total peri-hepatic lymph node volume in patients with PBC reflects histological stage, i.e. larger lymph nodes are observed in more advanced disease.
Dietrich
C F
CF
Medizinische Klinik II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, Germany. C.F.Dietrich@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Leuschner
M S
MS
Zeuzem
S
S
Herrmann
G
G
Sarrazin
C
C
Caspary
W F
WF
Leuschner
U F
UF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography