Hepatic cysts and hyperechogenicities: Perinatal assessment and unifying theory on their origin
- 1 December 1994
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Pediatric Radiology
- Vol. 24 (8), 569-572
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02012734
Abstract
The authors report their experience with the perinatal diagnosis of six cases of hepatic cyst and six of liver hyperchogenicities. The in utero diagnosis of hepatic cysts was difficult when the cysts were large or subhepatic. A precise diagnosis was sometimes achieved only after surgery. Small intraparenchymal cysts tended to regress spontaneously. Liver hyperechogenicities were diffuse or localized. They were unrelated to liver infection, tumors, meconium peritonitis or biliary tract anomaly. Both entities could be related to vascular disruption phenomenon (VDP) in which structural anomalies result from damage to normal development of embryonic or fetal vessels with anomalies of perfusion to the developing organs. The consequences of VDP to the liver are variable depending on the time and duration of the phenomenon. Localized infarct or ischemia can fibrose or calcify leading to segmental hyperechogenicities. Necrosis with tissue reabsorption can be the origin of some (sub)hepatic cysts. When such anomalies are detected there should be a careful study of the placentation, and a search for potential associated anomalies should be undertaken.Keywords
This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- In utero diagnosis of a portal vein aneurysmJournal of Clinical Ultrasound, 1993
- Alimentary Duplication Presenting as an Hepatic Cyst in a NeonateThe American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 1991
- Foetal hepatic calcificationPediatric Radiology, 1990
- Placental emboli from a fetus papyraceousJournal of Pediatric Surgery, 1990
- Solitary nonparasitic hepatic cyst causing abdominal distension and respiratory distress in a newbornJournal of Pediatric Surgery, 1990
- In utero thrombosis and neonatal gangrene in an infant of a diabetic motherAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics, 1989
- Ischemic hepatic necrosis: a cause of fetal liver calcificationAmerican Journal of Roentgenology, 1986
- The surviving monozygotic twin.Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1986
- Antenatal detection of hepatic cystJournal of Clinical Ultrasound, 1986
- Sonographic detection of portal venous gas in infants with necrotizing enterocolitisAmerican Journal of Roentgenology, 1984