Document Type

Article

Publication Date

January 2008

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It is the authors' final version prior to publication in Abdominal Imaging, epublished ahead of print January 25, 2008. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com. Copyright © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Abstract

Background: To retrospectively determine the frequency of dilated cisterna chyli (CC) on MR images in patients with cirrhosis, and to assess its value as a simple diagnostic imaging sign of uncompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Study population included 257 patients (149 with pathologically proved cirrhosis and 108 control subjects without history of chronic liver diseases) who had 1.5T MR imaging. Cirrhosis patients were divided into compensated and uncompensated groups. Three independent observers qualitatively evaluated visibility of CC 2mm or greater in transverse diameter, identified as a tubular structure with fluid signal intensity (SI). CC diameters greater than 6 mm were defined as dilated. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t test and interobserver agreement via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: CCs with diameter 2 mm or more were recorded in 113 of 149 (76%) cirrhotic patients and 15 of 108 (14%) control subjects (P< 0.001). Dilated CCs were significantly more frequent in uncompensated than compensated cirrhotic patients (54% vs 5%, P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value of dilated CC for uncompensated cirrhosis were 54%, 98%, 80%, and 96%, respectively.

Conclusion: Dilated CC can be used as a simple and specific sign complimentary to other findings of uncompensated cirrhosis.

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