A case of primary hepatic lymphoma complicated by chronic hepatitis C *
Abstract : The patient was a 49-year-old male, who in a follow-up on chronic hepatitis C, was found ultrasonographically to have multiple hypoechoic tumors in both liver lobes. These tumors exhibited low density areas by plain CT, and were not enhanced by early enhancement CT. These tumors appeared as low intensity mass lesions on T1-weighted image and as high intensity mass lesions on T2-weighted image by MRI. The laboratory data showed AFP, PIVKA Ⅱ, CEA and CA 19-9 levels to be within normal range. By a sonographically-guided tumor needle biopsy, tumors were histologically diagnosed as diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Neither a Ga scintigram nor a bone scintigram detected space-occupying lesions in other organs or lymph nodes. Therefore, this case was diagnosed as primary hepatic lymphoma complicated by chronic hepatitis C. Recently, it has been suggested that hepatitis C virus plays a role in the development of lymphoid proliferative disease as well as in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We discussed the clinical and diagnostic image findings, and reviewed the literature regarding primary hepatic lymphomas. (Accepted on January 22, 2002) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 28(2) : 63-68, 2002
