Perihepatic lymphadenopathy in chronic hepatitis C: a complementary diagnostic element?
OBJECTIVE
The authors searched for perihepatic lymph nodes during ultrasonography performed for other symptoms in 1222 Sicilian outpatients in order to assess the incidence and possible significance of the association of perihepatic lymph nodes and chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
One or two lymph nodes were observed in 184/1222 patients, and 142 of these 184 were anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive.


RESULTS
Our results confirmed a very high incidence of perihepatic lymphadenopathy during chronic hepatitis. The concomitant presence of HCV virus and perihepatic lymph nodes may confirm the marked lymphotropism of this virus.


CONCLUSIONS
As anti-HCV positivity is frequent in asymptomatic subjects with normal alanine aminotransferase concentrations, the authors believe that searching for sentinel perihepatic lymph nodes during abdominal ultrasonography could be recommended in routine diagnostic screening for HCV infection. Any perihepatic lymph nodes detected by this method could pinpoint subjects for whom more specific examinations are required, especially in areas where the virus is particularly endemic.
Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, University of Catania, Italy.
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Ierna
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D'Amico
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Antoci
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Campanile
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Neri
D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged