Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: CT Findings in Patients with Hepatic Lobar or Segmental Involvement

  • Jae Hoon Lim (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Won Jae Lee (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Dong Ho Lee (Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Kyung Jin Nam (Department of Radiology, Dong-A University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2000.05.17
  • Accepted : 2000.06.14
  • Published : 2000.06.30
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the CT findings of hepatic hypereosinophilic syndrome in which hepatic lobes or segments were involved. Materials and Methods: Seven patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome with hepatic lobar or segmental involvement were included in our study. In all seven, diagnosis was based on liver biopsy and the results of corticosteroid treatment. CT findings were retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists, who reached a consensus. Biopsy specimens were examined, with special reference to portal and periportal inflammation. Results: CT demonstrated well-defined, homogeneous or heterogeneous low attenuation with a straight margin limited to a hepatic lobe (n = 2), segments (n = 3), or subsegments (n = 2), particularly during the portal phase. Where there was subsegmental involvement, lesions were multiple, ovoid or wedge-shaped, and showed low attenuation. In two patients with lobar or segmental involvement, segmental portal vein narrowing was observed. Histopathologic examination disclosed eosinophilic infiltration in the periportal area, sinusoids and central veins, as well as portal phlebitis. Conclusion: Hypereosinophilic syndrome may involve the presence of hepatic lobar, segmental, or subsegmental low-attenuated lesions, as seen on CT images. Their presence may be related to damage of the liver parenchyma and to portal phlebitis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Bonnie Hami, Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, for her editorial assistance, and Young Joo Moon, Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, for her assistance in manuscript preparation.

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