[Clinical and imaging diagnosis of primary hepatic lymphoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical and imaging features of primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL).


METHODS
Four PHL cases were analyzed retrospectively for clinical manifestations, transcatheter hepatic arterial angiography and CT features.


RESULTS
All the four cases were B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma proven by histological and immunohistochemical examination. The main clinical manifestations included pain in the right upper quadrant and B symptoms of the lymphoma (fever, night sweating, and weight loss) in 3 patients. Three cases were complicated by chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, and the other had renal transplantation two years ago. All these cases exhibited elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, which was reduced after surgery or chemotherapy. Plain CT scan all identified hypodense lesions which did not display marked enhancement on the arterial phase and portal venous phase scans. On delayed phase scan, the border of the lesions became clear, and slight enhancement was observed in the peripheral and some partitions of the lesions. Angiographic imaging displayed slight tumor staining and arterial displacement in the liver in all the cases with thin tumor-supplying vessels. Global staining or abnormally thickened vessels were not seen.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive evaluation of the clinical manifestations and imaging features can be helpful in the diagnosis of PHL, and serum LDH level may help to assess the therapeutic effect.
Liu
Fang-ying
FY
Diagnostic Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. shangshuoming@yahoo.com.cn
Chen
Dan
D
Shang
Jian-biao
JB
Wu
Xiao-mei
XM
Zhang
Xue-lin
XL
D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed