Abstract:
Objective To explore 18F-flurodexyglucose (FDG) PET/CT dual-phase imaging characteristics of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) of the liver.
Methods The clinical and imaging data of 7 patients with liver RLH diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT dual-phase imaging in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University from September 2016 to July 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients comprised 2 males and 5 females, aged (60.4±3.7) years. The 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging findings of the lesions were observed. The length and diameter of the lesions, CT values of the lesions and the adjacent liver, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), liver background SUVmax, and retention index (RI) were measured and calculated. The measurement data in accordance with normal distribution were compared by two independent sample t-test.
Results Among the 7 patients with liver RLH, 71.4% (5/7) patients had a single lesion, whereas 28.6% (2/7) patients had multiple lesions, amounting to 11 lesions in total, all of which were located under the liver capsule. The shape of the lesions was quasi-round or oval, the boundary was blurred, and the length diameter of lesions was 5.5–19.2 (14.9±1.2) mm. The results of the CT plain scan showed that the density of 11 lesions was homogeneous, of which 2 lesions showed isodensity and 9 lesions were hypodense. The CT value of 11 lesions was lower than that of adjacent hepatic parenchyma (42.1±3.1) HU, which was lower than that of adjacent hepatic parenchyma (55.9±1.5) HU, and the difference between them was statistically significant (t=−7.36, P<0.001). The results of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed that the 18F-FDG uptake of 63.6% (7/11) lesions was higher than that of liver parenchyma, of which SUVmax of 85.7% (6/7) lesions increased, and SUVmax of 14.3% (1/7) lesions decreased. The SUVmax values of early imaging and delayed imaging lesions were 6.2±0.4 and 6.8±0.7, respectively. RI was 12.2% (8.9%, 15.5%). The 18F-FDG uptake of 36.4% lesions was lower than or adjacent to the liver parenchyma, and SUVmax of delayed imaging had no significant change. SUVmax of early imaging and delayed imaging were 2.2±0.4 and 2.1±0.4, respectively.
Conclusions Most of the liver RLH lesions were located under the liver capsule, showing homogeneous and slightly low-density lesions, and the boundary was blurred. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed high 18F-FDG uptake in most lesions, equal or low uptake in a few lesions, increased SUVmax in delayed imaging, and similar or different patterns of 18F-FDG uptake in multiple lesions.