Differentialdiagnostische Bedeutung sonographisch nachweisbarer Lymphknotenvergrößerung im Leberhilus bei nicht-malignen Lebererkrankungen

A total of 234 patients, 112 of whom were suffering from inflammatory liver disease and 122 from non-inflammatory liver disease were examined for enlarged lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Patients with malignancy were excluded from the study. In the 112 patients with inflammatory liver disease, enlarged lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were demonstrated in 29 cases (25.9%). In cases with acute hepatitis (n = 25), lymphomas were seen in 18 examinations (72%). These enlarged lymph nodes disappeared when the liver enzymes fell to normal values. In patients with chronic inflammatory liver disease (n = 54), enlarged lymph nodes were found in only nine cases (16.7%). Of 27 "healthy" HBsAG-carriers, 26 were without lymph node enlargement. None of the patients without inflammatory, non-malignant liver disease showed lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Once malignancy is ruled out, lymphomas in the hepatoduodenal ligament should be considered an indication of inflammatory liver disease.