Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Features of Hepatic Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia: Correlation With Histopathologic Findings.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To find certain specifics of hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (HRLH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging as diagnostic imaging clues by retrospectively analyzing its enhancement features. METHODS: From June 2010 to June 2017, 18 histopathologically confirmed HRLH lesions in 18 patients were included in this retrospective study. The lesion's location, maximum diameter, shape, margin, echogenicity, and color flow signal on conventional ultrasound (US) imaging and enhancement pattern, presence of a feeding artery, and donutlike enhancement on CEUS imaging were observed and recorded. The lesion size on CEUS imaging at peak enhancement and that on conventional US imaging were compared and recorded. RESULTS: All of the lesions showed homogeneous hypoechogenicity with a regular well-defined margin on conventional US imaging, with a mean diameter ± SD of 14.3 ± 4.6 mm (range, 8-24 mm). On CEUS imaging, all of the lesions showed "quick-wash-in and quick-wash-out," which showed complete homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and wash-out in the second half of the arterial phase or first half of the portal phase. In 83.3% (15 of 18) of the lesions, the lesion size that was enhanced at peak was enlarged compared with the hypoechoic area on conventional US imaging, and transient donutlike enhancement appeared when the lesion showed wash-out. In 55.6% (10 of 18) of cases, the feeding artery was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Enlarged complete homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase, consequently followed by quick wash-out of the lesion and the appearance of donutlike enhancement, may be the CEUS features of HRLH.