CT and MRI of diffuse lobar involvement pattern in liver pathology.
Focal, segmental, and diffuse liver pathologies have been described in the     literature. This article describes a pattern in which liver pathology is     confined to a lobe. This lobar pattern has not been described previously to our     knowledge. Herein, we illustrate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance     imaging (MRI) findings of diffuse lobar involvement patterns in various liver     conditions. Diffuse lobar involvement can be observed in benign (steatosis,     hepatic iron overload, cholestasis, perfusion alterations, infarction, alveolar     hydatid cysts, trauma, and hemangiomas) and primary malignant (hepatocellular     carcinoma) pathologies. Diffuse lobar involvement in metastatic disease appears     to be rare. Due in part to their potentially unusual appearances, the diagnosis     of lobar pathologies using imaging can be challenging, and entities with lobar     patterns can cause diagnostic confusion. Liver MRI can be used as a     problem-solving tool for diffuse lobar pathologies detected on ultrasonography     and CT. Inand out-of-phase MRI can help in the assessment of lobar fat     accumulation.
Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. musturayk@yahoo.com
Muşturay
M
Karçaaltincaba
Claude B
CB
Sirlin
D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed