Ultrasonic patterns observed in hepatic metastases from breast carcinoma: Diagnosis and evolution

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Abstract
A retrospective analysis was made of 78 patients presenting breast neoplasm with hepatic metastases confirmed by ultrasound. Clinical hepatomegaly was present in 61 %. The serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) was elevated in 72%, the serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) in 56%, the serum alkaline phosphatase (Aph) in 86%, and the gamma-glutamil transpeptidase (GGT) in 76%. A hypoechogenic multiple nodular pattern (HMN) was observed in 69%, a diffuse hypoechogenic pattern (DH) in 15%, and a mixed multiple nodular pattern (MMN) in 11%. No single nodular pattern was presented in any patient. The univariate analysis showed a better survival rate in patients with a mixed pattern (mean 11 months, range 1–29 months) (p=0.027). No significant differences were observed regarding the remaining patterns, age, presence or not of hepatomegaly, or altered enzymatic values.