LOW-REFLECTIVITY PERIPORTAL COLLAR ON HEPATIC ULTRASOUND

A low attenuation periportal collar is frequently found on computed to mography (CT) in association with a variety of liver diseases and othe r conditions (Lawson, T L, Thorsen, M K, Erikson, S J et al, Periporta l halo: a CT sign of liver disease, Abdom. Imaging, 18, 42-46 (1993)). Abnormal periportal intensity has been reported on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in various hepatobiliary diseases. Transient low reflec tivity periportal cuffing has recently been described and was presumed to be due to periportal lymphoedema associated with malignant lymphad enopathy. We report the finding of such bands in four patients with ch ronic hepatobiliary disease and present the associated histological fi ndings.