Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma (UES) of the liver: CT findings (analysis of 6 cases��

WANG Xiaoman, XU Saiying, HE Lejian, et al.

Department of Radiology, Beijing Children��s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

Objective: To improve the diagnostic level by analysising and summarizing the feature of UES on CT.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, pathologic and imaging features in 6 cases and made discussion according to references. 6 cases performed unenchanced CT scan, 5 case performed enchanced CT.

Results: CT scan revealed a large uniloculated cyst in 3 and multiloculated cyst within hyperdense septations of variable shape and thickness in 3.The margins of the lesions were well defined. Some solid portions at the periphery or adjacent to the septa were found in all cases. Punctate calcification at the periphery of the lesion was found in 1 case. A thin rim was seen surrounding the cystic tumor in all cases corresponding to the pathologic psedcapsule. The solid portions and the psedcapsule of the tumor appeared increased attenuation values and the cystic areas showed low attenuation after injection of contrast material. US demonstrated a single echogenic mass within some anechoic spaces of variable size in 4 cases. All cases were pathologically proved UES.

Conclusion: CT scan shows well-defined uniloculated or multiloculated cyst within variable degree of solid portions and a enhancing rim at CT and predominantly solid at US. Discrepancy of internal architecture on US and CT was one of the important characteristic of UES. CT scan shows a predominantly solid tumor within some small cysts in few cases. UES occurs predominantly in older children. Alpha-fetoprotein level is not elevated in UES.

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