Liver candidiasis. The various sonographic patterns in the immunocompromised child.

Liver candidiasis is characterised by small abscesses spread throughout the organ at random. These lesions may be identified sonographically. In the active phase of the disease, hepatomegaly is seen together with the "wheel in wheel" phenomenon, the "wagon wheel" appearance and/or the "bull's eye" lesion. Later on, hypoechoic defects develop. When the echogenic foci are revealed, the healing phase is initiated. These manifestations are demonstrated in 4 pediatric oncology patients. The sonographic patterns as well as its differential diagnosis from primary liver tumors, metastatic infiltrations or other abscess formations are discussed.