Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 13, Issue 3 205-210, Copyright © 1994 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Hepatobiliary abnormalities on sonography in children with HIV infection
C. J. Chung, C. J. Sivit, T. A. Rakusan, R. S. Chandra and M. Ellaurie
Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010.
Our purpose was to characterize the spectrum of hepatobiliary abnormalities
on sonography in children with vertically transmitted HIV infection.
Abdominal sonograms were performed on 41 children with HIV infection and
correlated with clinical and histopathologic data. Hepatobiliary
abnormalities were noted in 26 (63%) children. Hepatomegaly (n = 13) and
abnormal hepatic echotexture (n = 13) were the most common abnormalities
noted. Preexisting AIDS-related infections or neoplasms were noted
significantly more frequently in children with hepatic or biliary
abnormalities on sonography (18/26, 69%) than in children without
abnormalities (5/15, 33%) (P = 0.0001). Most children with hepatobiliary
abnormalities on sonography who underwent hepatic tissue sampling, however,
did not have evidence of acute infection or neoplasia. Hepatobiliary
abnormalities are frequently noted on sonography in children with HIV
infection. Hepatomegaly and abnormal hepatic echotexture are the most
frequent sonographic findings and are usually nonspecific.
