Tenca A, Massironi S, Colli A, Basilisco G, Conte D. “Pseudotumoral” hepatic pattern in acute alcoholic hepatitis: A case report. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(32): 4070-4074 [PMID: 19705506 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.4070]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dario Conte, MD, Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena Foundation, Gastrointestinal Unit 2 and Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, Università degli Studi di Milano, F. Sforza st. 35, 20122 Milan, Italy. dario.conte@unimi.it
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2009; 15(32): 4070-4074 Published online Aug 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.4070
“Pseudotumoral” hepatic pattern in acute alcoholic hepatitis: A case report
Andrea Tenca, Sara Massironi, Agostino Colli, Guido Basilisco, Dario Conte
Andrea Tenca, Sara Massironi, Guido Basilisco, Dario Conte, Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena Foundation, Gastrointestinal Unit 2 and Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, Università degli Studi di Milano, F. Sforza st. 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
Agostino Colli, Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale “A. Manzoni”, Lecco 23900, Italy
Author contributions: Tenca A, Massironi S, Colli A, Basilisco G and Conte D contributed equally to this work; Tenca A, Massironi S and Conte D wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dario Conte, MD, Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena Foundation, Gastrointestinal Unit 2 and Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, Università degli Studi di Milano, F. Sforza st. 35, 20122 Milan, Italy. dario.conte@unimi.it
Telephone: +39-2-55033418
Fax: +39-2-55033644
Received: March 14, 2009 Revised: July 17, 2009 Accepted: July 24, 2009 Published online: August 28, 2009
Abstract
In acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), a “pseudotumoral” appearance of the liver parenchyma on computed tomography (CT) scan has been reported. The main findings are hypervascularized areas closely similar to those observed in large hepatocellular carcinomas. We report a case of a patient affected by AAH with an unusual appearance of these “pseudotumoral” areas on CT scan, close resembling a metastatic cancer rather than a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. In fact, in contrast with previous reports, the picture was characterized by the presence of many inhomogeneous, hypoattenuated areas highlighted during both pre- and post-contrast phases. Moreover, we report the first description of “pseudotumoral” lesions on ultrasound scan. This patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids, even if many controversies still exist regarding their efficacy in this setting.
