Solid organizing hepatic abscesses mimic hepatic tumor: Multiphasic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings with histopathologic correlation.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of solid organizing hepatic abscesses and correlate them with the pathologic findings.


METHODS
Ten patients with 10 pathologically proven solid organizing hepatic abscesses who underwent 3-phase CT (n = 10) or MRI (n = 7) were enrolled in this study. Images were retrospectively analyzed by consensus of 2 radiologists for attenuation (signal intensity), shape, and margin of the lesions as well as for their enhancement patterns. Their imaging findings were correlated with their pathologic findings.


RESULTS
The main imaging finding on CT or MRI was the well-defined target appearance of a central enhancing area with a low-attenuation (signal intensity) rim on arterial and portal phases. On the delayed phase, most of lesions showed slightly low attenuation (signal intensity) with an enhancing rim, and 1 showed diffuse enhancement. Pathologically, the central areas and peripheral rims corresponded to granulation tissue and fibrosis, respectively. Nine lesions demonstrated a tiny necrotic cystic portion in the center.


CONCLUSIONS
The target appearance of solid organizing hepatic abscesses on CT and MRI can be helpful in differentiating them from other focal liver lesions. These imaging findings are well correlated with the pathologic findings.
Kim
Young Kon
YK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonbuk National University Hospital and Medical School, JeonJu, South Korea. jmyr@dreamwiz.com
Kim
Chong Soo
CS
Lee
Jeong Min
JM
Ko
Seog Wan
SW
Moon
Woo Sung
WS
Yu
Hee Chul
HC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D007472:Iohexol; D008536:Meglumine; C038192:iopromide