AJR 1999;173:1185-1192 November 1999.
Dodd III Gerald D., Baron Richard L., Oliver III James H., Federle Michael P.
Patients with cirrhosis have a much greater chance of developing a primary malignant liver tumor than do patients without cirrhosis. The prognosis in these patients is directly related to the stage of the tumor at the time of detection and the severity of the cirrhosis. Unfortunately, early detection of the tumors is hampered by the distortion of the hepatic parenchyma caused by the cirrhotic process. Additionally, multiple benign masses occurring in the cirrhotic liver can mimic a malignant tumor. Thus, the interpretation of imaging studies in these patients requires a critical review to detect subtle tumors and a thorough understanding of the imaging appearance of the malignant and benign masses that can occur in the cirrhotic liver. In this, part two of a two-part review of the spectrum of imaging findings in end-stage cirrhosis, we present the cause, frequency, and appearance of focal masses in the end-stage cirrhotic liver.