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CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Young, ST; Paulson, EK; Washington, K; Gulliver, DJ; Vredenburgh, JJ; Baker, ME
Published in: AJR Am J Roentgenol
December 1994

OBJECTIVE: Although the hepatotoxic effects of systemic chemotherapy are well known, CT findings in the liver after systemic chemotherapy have received little attention in the literature. In some patients with breast carcinoma metastatic to the liver who have received chemotherapy, a morphologic pattern develops similar to that associated with cirrhosis. This pattern is characterized by a lobular hepatic contour, segmental volume loss, and enlargement of the caudate lobe. The purpose of this study was to describe the CT appearance of this pseudocirrhosis and to correlate it with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 65 CT examinations of 22 patients with stage IV breast carcinoma with hepatic metastases, who were receiving systemic chemotherapy and for whom abdominal CT scans showed pseudocirrhosis. Nineteen of 22 patients had follow-up CT scans at intervals ranging from 1 to 15 months. Criteria for the diagnosis of pseudocirrhosis included a lobular hepatic contour, segmental volume loss, and enlargement of the caudate lobe. CT findings were correlated with pathologic findings in seven patients. RESULTS: In all patients, CT scans showed retraction of the capsular surface of the liver (15 diffuse, seven focal) with a lobular margin, a finding also seen in advanced cirrhosis. The retraction occurred at the site of subjacent metastases. Findings evolved over 1-3 months. Six of seven patients had pathologic findings suggestive of nodular regenerative hyperplasia. No patients had pathologic evidence of cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy for breast cancer metastatic to the liver, a pattern may develop that mimics the CT appearance of hepatic cirrhosis. Pathologic findings suggest nodular regenerative hyperplasia as a possible cause.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

December 1994

Volume

163

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1385 / 1388

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver
  • Hyperplasia
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Young, S. T., Paulson, E. K., Washington, K., Gulliver, D. J., Vredenburgh, J. J., & Baker, M. E. (1994). CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 163(6), 1385–1388. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.163.6.7992734
Young, S. T., E. K. Paulson, K. Washington, D. J. Gulliver, J. J. Vredenburgh, and M. E. Baker. “CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis.AJR Am J Roentgenol 163, no. 6 (December 1994): 1385–88. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.163.6.7992734.
Young ST, Paulson EK, Washington K, Gulliver DJ, Vredenburgh JJ, Baker ME. CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994 Dec;163(6):1385–8.
Young, S. T., et al. “CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis.AJR Am J Roentgenol, vol. 163, no. 6, Dec. 1994, pp. 1385–88. Pubmed, doi:10.2214/ajr.163.6.7992734.
Young ST, Paulson EK, Washington K, Gulliver DJ, Vredenburgh JJ, Baker ME. CT of the liver in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by chemotherapy: findings simulating cirrhosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994 Dec;163(6):1385–1388.

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

December 1994

Volume

163

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1385 / 1388

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver
  • Hyperplasia
  • Humans
  • Female