Granulomatous hepatitis: MRI findings

[Hepatic granuloma-A diagnostic challenge]

Hepatic granulomas can have various causes and their detection requires a systematic diagnostic evaluation. First, identification of risk factors for granulomatous diseases and the exclusion of extrahepatic organ manifestation are necessary. Laboratory investigations and serological screening for the most common underlying diseases of liver granulomas in Germany, such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), sarcoidosis and infectious causes (primarily tuberculosis and hepatitis C infections), are recommended. A liver biopsy is essential for confirming the diagnosis, whereby a minilaparoscopically guided tissue sampling offers many advantages, such as the macroscopic detection of granulomas on the liver surface, on the peritoneum or on the spleen. Whether the detection of hepatic granulomas results in a therapeutic consequence, depends decisively on the underlying primary disease. If hepatic granulomas are present without concomitant liver parenchymal damage or other manifestations that would make treatment necessary, a watch and wait approach under close clinical and laboratory monitoring is sufficient. If liver values increase or in cases of hepatic parenchymal damage, urgent treatment of the underlying disease is indicated.

Non-neoplastic hepatopancreatobiliary lesions simulating malignancy: can we differentiate?

Despite the success of cross-sectional imaging in evaluating hepatopancreatobiliary system malignancies, several non-malignant disease processes may closely mimic malignancy. Differentiating these benign diseases from malignancy may be difficult, or even impossible, even in the hands of experienced imagers. In this manuscript, we present benign mimics involving the hepatopancreatobiliary system and try to increase awareness of these potential pitfalls.

Necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the liver

A 73-year-old patient with necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the liver is presented. The computed tomography demonstrated 2 hypodense tumors with progressive enhancement in the liver. They became nearly isodense to the normal hepatic parenchyma on the delayed phase.

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic MRI and MRCP findings in patients with HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to describe the spectrum of MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings of hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary manifestations in patients with HIV infection.

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of MRI and MRCP findings in HIV-infected patients includes acute or chronic hepatitis (or both), pancreatitis, cholangitis, acalculous cholecystitis, and biliary strictures that may resemble primary sclerosing cholangitis. The presence of segmental extrahepatic biliary strictures is characteristic of AIDS cholangiopathy.

Associated benign liver tumors in idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis: A case report

We report a unique association of ruptured hepatocellular adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia and granulomatous hepatitis in a young woman taking oral contraceptives. Diffuse granulomatous hepatitis was found in the liver parenchyma, which was associated with a large granulomatous mass of the left lobe and loco-regional granulomatous lymphadenitis. We cannot give a full explanation of the situation, which represented a challenge in the diagnosis and in the treatment of this patient.

The infected liver: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Recent technologic advances have significantly enhanced the role of imaging in the detection, characterization, and management of infectious diseases involving the liver. In addition, imaging-guided percutaneous drainage has greatly improved the clinical treatment of patients with focal liver abscess. Infectious liver diseases can be accurately evaluated with ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Characteristic changes in US echogenicity, CT attenuation, or MR imaging signal intensity and typical enhancement patterns can contribute to the diagnosis of specific infectious diseases, including abscesses, parasitic diseases, fungal diseases, granulomatous diseases, viral hepatitis, and other less common infections. CT is particularly helpful in revealing the presence of calcifications and gas and in detailing the enhancement pattern. The multiplanar capability of MR imaging and its sensitivity to small differences in tissue composition increase its specificity for certain hepatic infections, including hydatid cyst and candidiasis. Radiologic findings may be sufficient to obviate aspiration or histologic examination, although in most instances they are less specific. Nevertheless, imaging findings taken together with appropriate clinical information may provide the most likely diagnosis, even if biopsy is sometimes required for confirmation.

Granulomatous liver disease and cholestasis

Development of hepatic granulomas, especially those located within portal tracts, is associated with injury to septal and interlobular bile ducts. Dysfunction of the bile ducts in turn leads to cholestasis,and ongoing damage by the granulomatous inflammation eventually results in ductopenia. A multitude of causes of hepatic granulomas have been described over the last few decades. Diligent and prioritized search for cause of hepatic granulomas should proceed within the environmental and epidemiologic context of a given patient. The therapeutic approaches, including amelioration of the cholestatic syndrome, are often determined by successful identification of specific etiologic factors causing the granulomas in the liver.