Correlation between the echogenicity of dysplastic nodules and their histopathologically determined fat content.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate the echogenicity of dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic liver with the difference in fat content between lesions and surrounding liver.


METHODS
This retrospective study involved 65 histopathologically proved dysplastic nodules (39 high grade and 26 low grade). Their echogenicity compared with that of surrounding parenchyma was determined sonographically, and differences in the proportions of fat globules contained in the nodules and in surrounding liver tissue were evaluated histopathologically. The sonographic and histopathologic findings were correlated.


RESULTS
Among the 65 dysplastic nodules, echogenicity was high in 30 (46%), equal in 5 (8%), and low in 30 (46%). In all cases, there was significant correlation between echogenicity on sonographic imaging and the difference in fat content between nodules and surrounding liver tissue (P < .01). There was, however, no significant correlation between the degree of dysplasia and sonographic echogenicity (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The echogenicity of dysplastic nodules correlated with their fat content. Echogenicity did not, however, predict whether the grade of a nodule was high or low.
Kim
Min Ju
MJ
Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Lim
Jae Hoon
JH
Lee
Soon Jin
SJ
Kim
Seung Hoon
SH
Lee
Won Jae
WJ
Lim
Hyo Keun
HK
Park
Jong Min
JM
Park
Cheol Keun
CK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography