Ultrasonographic Analysis of Hepatic Metastasis from Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Huang Jianguo, Wang Zhangrong. Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan 430070
Abstract The sonographic characteristics of 45 patients with hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma were studied retrospectively. The number,size, inner echo, morphology and distribution of the tumors in hepatic parenchyma were analyzed. The size of liver and spleen was measured. Three or more metastatic nodules distributed in the hepatic parenchyma were found in 37(82%) cases. Two nodules were shown in 3(7%) cases. 5(11%) cases had single nodule. 21(46%) of the metastatic lesions located in the right lobe of the liver. The size of metastatic nodules varied from 0.7 cm to 8.0 cm. In 6(13%) cases, the intensity of echo in the metastatic nodules was lower than that of surround liver parenchyma, while that in 17(38%)cases were hyperechoic. In 10 cases (22%), cystic echo appeared in the center of tumor.The ultrasonographies of hepatic metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma varied. Multiple nodules disseminated in the right lobe were frequently seen. The metastatic nodules with diameter<1.0 cm often revealed hypoechoic pattern while those >3.0 cm showed cystic change in 36% of cases. Clinically latent hepatic metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be detected by the ultrasonography.
Key words nasopharyngeal carcinoma hepatic metastasis ultrasonography