title: Proposal of a computed tomography classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a computed tomography (CT)-morphological classification for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis was the aim of the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CT morphology of hepatic lesions in 228 patients with confirmed alveolar echinococcosis (AE) drawn from the Echinococcus Databank of the University Hospital of Ulm was reviewed retrospectively. For this reason, CT datasets of combined positron emission tomography (PET)-CT examinations were evaluated. The diagnosis of AE was made in patients with unequivocal seropositivity; positive histological findings following diagnostic puncture or partial resection of the liver; and/or findings typical for AE at either ultrasonography, CT, magnetic resonance imaging or PET-CT. The CT-morphological findings were grouped into the new classification scheme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within the classification a lesion was dedicated to one out of five "primary morphologies" as well as to one out of six "patterns of calcification". "primary morphology" and "pattern of calcification" are primarily focussed on separately from each other and combined, whereas the "primary morphology" V is not further characterized by a "pattern of calcification". Based on the five primary morphologies, further descriptive sub-criteria were appended to types I-III. An analysis of the calcification pattern in relation to the primary morphology revealed the exclusive association of the central calcification with type IV primary morphology. Similarly, certain calcification patterns exhibited a clear predominance for other primary morphologies, which underscores the delimitation of the individual primary morphological types from each other. These relationships in terms of calcification patterns extend into the primary morphological sub-criteria, demonstrating the clear subordination of those criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed CT-morphological classification (EMUC-CT) is intended to facilitate the recognition and interpretation of lesions in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. This could help to interpret different clinical courses better and shall assist in the context of scientific studies to improve the comparability of CT findings.
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Tilmann
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Graeter
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kratzer
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Suemeyra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oeztuerk
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Mark Martin
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Haenle
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Richard Andrew
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hillenbrand
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kull
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.affiliation: Tilmann Graeter, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gruener
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Alveolar echinococcosis; Classification; Computed tomography; Diagnosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis