Jung Min Bae1, Tae Yeon Jeon2, Jung Sun Kim3, Seokhwi Kim3, Sook Min Hwang1, So-Young Yoo1, Ji Hye Kim1. 1. Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, South Korea. 2. Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, South Korea. Electronic address: hathor97.jeon@samsung.com. 3. Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, South Korea.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe ultrasonography (US) findings of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) and to determine whether screening US examinations can identify FALD before biochemical hepatic dysfunction. METHODS: This retrospective study included 55 patients who underwent Fontan procedure over a 20-year period. Hepatobiliary US findings (n=55), CT or MRI findings (n=19), biochemical hepatic function tests (n=49), and histopathological results (n=4) were analyzed. Images were reviewed focusing on the hepatic parenchymal changes, presence of focal lesions, and signs of portal hypertension. RESULTS: Hepatic parenchymal changes (either heterogeneous echotexture or surface nodularity) evident on US were present in 67% (37/55) and showed positive correlation with the Fontan duration. Hyper-echoic lesions were noted in 35% (19/55) and showed a predilection for multiplicity, small size, right lobe location, and irregular margin on high-frequency transducer. These lesions were not demonstrated by CT or MRI or by low-frequency transducer. Histopathological results of targeted biopsy for hyper-echoic lesions revealed lesser degree of patchy sinusoidal and portal fibrosis than seen in cases with surface nodularity. Abnormal parenchymal enhancement was commonly seen with CT or MRI in 63% (12/19) and hypervascular nodules in 21% (4/19). Most patients (82%, 40/49) showed normal biochemical hepatic function tests, despite the presence of hepatic parenchymal changes on imaging. CONCLUSION: The common US findings of FALD included heterogeneous parenchymal echotexture, surface nodularity, and hyper-echoic lesions. We suggest that hyper-echoic lesions without surface nodularity detected by high-frequency transducer may represent the early stage of fibrosis. US examination may be useful for identifying the progression of FALD before biochemical hepatic dysfunction.
PURPOSE: To describe ultrasonography (US) findings of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) and to determine whether screening US examinations can identify FALD before biochemical hepatic dysfunction. METHODS: This retrospective study included 55 patients who underwent Fontan procedure over a 20-year period. Hepatobiliary US findings (n=55), CT or MRI findings (n=19), biochemical hepatic function tests (n=49), and histopathological results (n=4) were analyzed. Images were reviewed focusing on the hepatic parenchymal changes, presence of focal lesions, and signs of portal hypertension. RESULTS: Hepatic parenchymal changes (either heterogeneous echotexture or surface nodularity) evident on US were present in 67% (37/55) and showed positive correlation with the Fontan duration. Hyper-echoic lesions were noted in 35% (19/55) and showed a predilection for multiplicity, small size, right lobe location, and irregular margin on high-frequency transducer. These lesions were not demonstrated by CT or MRI or by low-frequency transducer. Histopathological results of targeted biopsy for hyper-echoic lesions revealed lesser degree of patchy sinusoidal and portal fibrosis than seen in cases with surface nodularity. Abnormal parenchymal enhancement was commonly seen with CT or MRI in 63% (12/19) and hypervascular nodules in 21% (4/19). Most patients (82%, 40/49) showed normal biochemical hepatic function tests, despite the presence of hepatic parenchymal changes on imaging. CONCLUSION: The common US findings of FALD included heterogeneous parenchymal echotexture, surface nodularity, and hyper-echoic lesions. We suggest that hyper-echoic lesions without surface nodularity detected by high-frequency transducer may represent the early stage of fibrosis. US examination may be useful for identifying the progression of FALD before biochemical hepatic dysfunction.
Authors: Amyna Fidai; Frederic Dallaire; Nanette Alvarez; Yvonne Balon; Robin Clegg; Michael Connelly; Frank Dicke; Deborah Fruitman; Joyce Harder; Kimberley Myers; David J Patton; Tim Prieur; Erika Vorhies; Robert P Myers; Steven R Martin; Steven C Greenway Journal: Front Cardiovasc Med Date: 2017-03-27