Differential Diagnosis for Hypoattenuating Structures with Peripheral Nodular Enhancement
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Hepatic Metastasis: This is often the most common diagnosis for multiple hypoattenuating liver lesions with peripheral enhancement, especially in the context of a known primary malignancy. The peripheral nodular enhancement pattern is characteristic of metastatic disease.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hepatic Abscess: Although typically presenting with more pronounced symptoms such as fever and pain, hepatic abscesses can appear as hypoattenuating lesions with peripheral enhancement. The size and location can vary.
- Hemangioma: While typically showing characteristic early peripheral nodular enhancement with centripetal fill-in on delayed images, some hemangiomas can present atypically, especially if they are smaller or have undergone thrombosis or fibrosis.
- Focal Fatty Change or Focal Fatty Sparing: These can appear as hypoattenuating areas but usually do not show significant enhancement. However, in some cases, especially with fatty sparing, the appearance can be atypical.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Especially in patients with risk factors such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B/C infection, HCC can present as a hypoattenuating lesion with peripheral enhancement. Missing this diagnosis could have significant implications for patient management and prognosis.
- Infectious Diseases (e.g., Echinococcal Cyst): In endemic areas, parasitic infections like echinococcosis can present with cystic lesions in the liver that may show peripheral enhancement, especially if they become infected.
- Cholangiocarcinoma: Although less common, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can present as hypoattenuating masses with peripheral enhancement, particularly if they are associated with obstructive jaundice or other signs of biliary obstruction.
Rare Diagnoses
- Biliary Hamartomas (Von Meyenburg Complexes): These are benign biliary malformations that can appear as multiple small hypoattenuating lesions but typically do not show significant enhancement.
- Hepatic Lymphangioma: A rare benign lesion that can present as a hypoattenuating mass with possible enhancement, though this is less common in the liver compared to other locations.
- Peliosis Hepatis: A rare condition characterized by the presence of blood-filled cavities within the liver, which can appear as hypoattenuating lesions. It is often associated with certain medications, infections, or malignancies.