CT and MRI findings of cirrhosis-related benign nodules with ischaemia or infarction after variceal bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To present computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of cirrhosis-related benign nodules with ischaemia or infarction.


METHODS
Sixteen consecutive patients (14 men and two women) who had been diagnosed with cirrhosis-related benign nodules with ischaemia or infarction after variceal bleeding based on the results of dynamic CT (n=15) and MRI (n=8) were included in this study. Five patients had histopathological confirmation via liver transplantation (n=2) and percutaneous biopsy (n=3). Images were analyzed for the enhancement pattern, signal intensities, location, and configuration of the lesions.


RESULTS
Most of the lesions were depicted as multifocal discrete or clustered nodules with some irregular patchy areas (size range 3-28 mm). They were predominantly found in subcapsular area or caudate lobe. Most nodular lesions were seen as hypoattenuating (hypointense) nodules with rim enhancement during dynamic CT or MRI. On T2-weighted images, nodular lesions were predominantly seen as target appearing hyperintense nodules. On follow-up images (range 2-24 months), most of the lesions disappeared or decreased in size.


CONCLUSIONS
CT and MRI can be used to demonstrate characteristic findings of cirrhosis-related benign nodules with ischaemia or infarction. Rapid resolution of the nodules at follow-up imaging can also be helpful for diagnosing these lesions.
Kim
Y K
YK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Hospital and Medical School, Jeon Ju, South Korea. jmyr@dreamwiz.com
Park
G
G
Kim
C S
CS
Han
Y M
YM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000473:pathology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods