Radiology 2000 Jul;216(1):147-53
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: abdominopelvic CT and US findings.
Avila NA, Kelly JA, Chu SC, Dwyer AJ, Moss J.
PURPOSE: To describe the abdominal computed tomographic (CT) and ultrasonographic (US)
findings in patients with thoracic lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and to relate the
prevalence of the findings to the severity of pulmonary disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Eighty patients with LAM underwent chest and abdominopelvic CT and abdominopelvic US. The
images were reviewed prospectively by one radiologist, and the abdominal findings were
recorded and correlated with the severity of pulmonary disease at thin-section CT.
RESULTS: Sixty-one (76%) of 80 patients had positive abdominal findings. The most common
abdominal findings included renal angiomyolipoma (AML) in 43 patients (54%), enlarged
abdominal lymph nodes in 31 (39%), and lymphangiomyoma in 13 (16%). Less common findings
included ascites in eight (10%), dilatation of the thoracic duct in seven (9%), and
hepatic AML in three (4%). A significant correlation (P =.02) was observed between
enlarged abdominal lymph nodes and increased severity of lung disease. CONCLUSION: There
are characteristic abdominal findings in patients with LAM that, in conjunction with the
classic thin-section CT finding of pulmonary cysts, are useful in establishing this
diagnosis.
PMID: 10887241
