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Sonographic detection of perihepatic lymphadenopathy is an indicator for primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

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Abstract

Aim

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a frequent complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While hyperplasia of the perihepatic lymph nodes has been described in patients with PSC, its prevalence and cause in IBD patients remains obscure. In the present study we address the question of whether ultrasound (US) examination is useful to detect perihepatic lymphadenopathy and improve the diagnostic accuracy for PSC in patients with underlying IBD.

Methods

A total of 310 consecutive IBD patients were prospectively evaluated by US for enlarged perihepatic lymph nodes, as well as serologic testing for cholestasis-indicating enzymes. In patients with positive test results, viral or autoimmune liver disorders were excluded by serum testing. Next, the presence of PSC was confirmed/excluded by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC).

Results

Perihepatic lymphadenopathy was detected by US in 27 of 310 (9%) patients. In 9 (33%) of those, serologic testing identified an underlying autoimmune or viral hepatitis. In the remaining 18 patients, ERC confirmed PSC in 17 (94%) and excluded it in 1. Elevated cholestasis parameters were found in 43 of 310 (14%) patients and 5 (12%) of those were diagnosed with autoimmune or viral hepatitis. In the remaining 38 patients, ERC confirmed PSC in 15 (39%) and excluded it in 23 (61%). Therefore, when autoimmune or viral hepatitis was excluded, enlarged lymph nodes in US predicted PSC more accurately than conventional serum parameters alone (PPV 94 and 39%, respectively [ P<0.001]), and the sensitivity ratio increased by a factor of 1.13 in favor of the US examination.

Conclusion

In patients with IBD, detection of enlarged perihepatic lymph nodes is a highly predictive indicator for the presence of PSC. Alternative causes of perihepatic lymphadenopathy have to be excluded.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank H. Hirche, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, for statistical advice and critical review of the manuscript, and S. Dorn for excellent management of our ultrasound department.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Klinik II, Klinikum der J. W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Tim O. Hirche, Jan Russler, Barbara Braden, Stefan Zeuzem & Till Wehrmann

  2. Innere Medizin II, Caritas Krankenhaus, Uhlandstrasse 7, 97980, Bad Mergentheim, Germany

    Gudrun Schuessler & Christoph F. Dietrich

  3. Gastroenterologie und Diabetologie, Städtische Kliniken, Dr.-Eden-Strasse 10, 26133, Oldenburg, Germany

    Hans Seifert

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  1. Tim O. Hirche
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Correspondence to Christoph F. Dietrich.

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Hirche, T.O., Russler, J., Braden, B. et al. Sonographic detection of perihepatic lymphadenopathy is an indicator for primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Int J Colorectal Dis 19, 586–594 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-004-0598-0

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