Magnetic resonance imaging features of intrahepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis: Three case reports

Extramedullary hematopoiesis rarely occurs within the liver alone, and is easily misdiagnosed. The radiological literature on this disease is exclusively case reports. There is a paucity of literature on the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common imaging modalities used are computed tomography and ultrasound. This report aims to provide more data on the appearance of extramedullary hematopoiesis using MRI to help radiologists establish the diagnosis.

Three patients (one male and two females) were incidentally found to have a hepatic mass or nodule, without hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. Laboratory tests including liver function, serum hepatic tumor markers, and hepatitis serologic markers were normal. On MRI scans, all lesions showed lower signal intensity on in-phase images than on out-phase images. One case showed changes in signal intensity on T2 weighted images (WI) and diffusion WI, which shifted from hyperintensity to hypointensity with size enlargement between two rounds of imaging examination. These lesions exhibited different enhancement patterns on dynamic contrast enhancement series.

The MRI signal change and in-/out-phase image might provide useful information and help radiologists establish the diagnosis of intrahepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis.