MRI features to differentiate between peliosis hepatis and hepatic metastases following chemotherapy for gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective To compare the MRI features of peliosis hepatis and hepatic metastases following chemotherapy for gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma with the aim to improve the differential diagnosis. Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma treated from June 2014 to December 2017 at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 26 males and 7 females aged (56.0±9.8) years, there were 11 patients with peliosis hepatis and 22 patients with hepatic metastases following chemotherapy in these patients. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI scans. The differences in the MRI features, including morphology, margin, signal intensity on plain scanning and enhancement patterns were compared statistically. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of peliosis hepatis, hepatic metastases and adjacent hepatic parenchyma were measured in an ADC map. Results In 14 lesions of the 11 patients with peliosis hepatis, 10 lesions were ill-defined and 4 lesions were well-defined. In 31 lesions of the 22 patients with hepatic metastases, 5 lesions were ill-defined and 26 lesions were well-defined. Significant differences existed between peliosis hepatis and hepatic metastases in the margin (P<0.05). The ADC value of hepatic metastases was significantly lower than that of peliosis hepatis and the adjacent hepatic parenchyma (P<0.05). In all the 14 lesions of peliosis hepatis, 10 lesions showed gradual filling enhancement, and 4 lesions showed marked and persistent enhancement. In all the 31 lesions of hepatic metastases, 28 lesions showed a ring-shaped enhancement, and 3 lesions showed in and quick out enhancement. Conclusions The lesions of peliosis hepatis following chemotherapy for gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma were ill-defined, with no restriction of water diffusion in the diffusion weighted imagings, and with progressive enhancement. The MRI manifestations of peliosis hepatis helped to differentiate peliosis hepatis from hepatic metastases of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Colorectal neoplasms; Magnetic resonance imaging; Peliosis hepatis; Hepatic metastases