Search

Purpose: To investigate and compare the ultrasonic features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) and other common hepatic malignancies, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatic metastatic tumor (HMT). Methods: A total of 37 patients with pathologically proven HEHE, 37 HCC cases, 37 ICC cases, and 37 HMT cases were enrolled from single hospital. The clinical characteristics and ultrasonic features of all cases were summarized and statistically analyzed. Results: There were significant differences in sex and age between the HEHE group and other three groups (P < 0.001). The probability of HEHE infection with hepatitis B virus was lower than that of HCC and ICC groups (P < 0.05). The probability of elevated serum tumor markers in HEHE was significantly lower than that in the other three groups (P < 0.05). On conventional ultrasound (CUS), the probability of multiple lesions in HEHE was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (P < 0.05). On contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), the time to wash out in HEHE was significantly shorter than that of the other three groups (P < 0.001). The proportion of synchronous or slow enhancement in HEHE was significantly higher than that of the other three groups (P < 0.001). The proportion of HEHE with iso- or hypo-enhancement was significantly higher than in HCC and HMT groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HEHE mainly performed multiple hypoechoic lesions on CUS and displayed greater odds of synchronous enhancement in arterial phase, iso- or hypo-enhancement in peak time and wash out more quickly on CEUS, which allowed for differentiation from other common malignant tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the characteristic features of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using Gd-EOB-DTPA. Material and methods: Twelve patients (mean age, 50 years; male:female = 6:6) who were pathologically confirmed to have HEH in two tertiary institutions were retrospectively investigated. For qualitative analysis, the MRI features of HEH including core pattern were characterized, and lesions were divided into core and non-core groups. For quantitative analysis, standardized mean signal intensities (SI) measured at the tumor center, periphery, and liver parenchyma were plotted against the dynamic phases. Differences in SI between the core and non-core group were calculated for the tumor center and periphery. We also examined the radiologic and pathologic correlation for cases in which surgical resection was performed. Results: Forty-seven nodules in 12 patients were analyzed. The mean size of the lesions was 2.9 ± 1.0 cm. In the per-lesion analysis, ring-like arterial enhancement (74%) on arterial phase was the most frequent feature, followed by core pattern (51%), and hyperintense rim on T1-weighted imaging (43%). In the per-patient analysis, capsular retraction (75%) was the most common sign. The percentage of patients with core pattern was 58%. In the core group, the SI of the center showed slow enhancement starting from the transitional phase, resulting in divergence between the two graphs throughout the entire dynamic study ( p < 0.05). Pathologically, the lesion center consisted of reduced cellularity with myxohyaline stroma and necrosis. Conclusion: Core pattern can be considered a new diagnostic sign of HEH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]