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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
liver and lymph nodes in the gastrohepatic ligament
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
liver and lymph nodes in the gastrohepatic ligament
by minaki, Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 44 year old caucasian woman - 5'9" and about 190 lbs.
I have had difficulty swallowing certain food for several months. I feel a pressure in my esophagus, it subsides, and then there is another pressure in my lower chest, and then it goes away. It has been a growing problem for me (more frequent pressure than a few months ago.) Last week I felt a great pain in my chest when I was eating mashed potatoes. The pain then also occured whenever I yawned or took at deep breath. (The sharp pain associated with breathing went away after a few days.)
I went to the hospital the day after I had the pain. They did some bloodwork and concluded that it might be a liver issue. I had an ultrasound and that revealed a "mass" on my liver. I then went for a CT scan and this is what the radiologist said:
there are multiple cysts on the liver; enhancing lesions within the liver accompanied by lymphadenopathy; enlarged lymph nodes in the gastrohepatic ligament measuring up to 2.5 cm; something was vascular in appearance (nodes or liver?); the characteristics were atypical of cancer; recommended an MRI to provide enhanced imaging and possible answers. MRI is scheduled 3 1/2 weeks from now - request is in to see a liver specialist but I don't know how fast I can get in.
Any thoughts on what the problem might be? Seen/heard of anything like this?
Thank you for your time.
I have had difficulty swallowing certain food for several months. I feel a pressure in my esophagus, it subsides, and then there is another pressure in my lower chest, and then it goes away. It has been a growing problem for me (more frequent pressure than a few months ago.) Last week I felt a great pain in my chest when I was eating mashed potatoes. The pain then also occured whenever I yawned or took at deep breath. (The sharp pain associated with breathing went away after a few days.)
I went to the hospital the day after I had the pain. They did some bloodwork and concluded that it might be a liver issue. I had an ultrasound and that revealed a "mass" on my liver. I then went for a CT scan and this is what the radiologist said:
there are multiple cysts on the liver; enhancing lesions within the liver accompanied by lymphadenopathy; enlarged lymph nodes in the gastrohepatic ligament measuring up to 2.5 cm; something was vascular in appearance (nodes or liver?); the characteristics were atypical of cancer; recommended an MRI to provide enhanced imaging and possible answers. MRI is scheduled 3 1/2 weeks from now - request is in to see a liver specialist but I don't know how fast I can get in.
Any thoughts on what the problem might be? Seen/heard of anything like this?
Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
The lesions in the liver with enlarged lymph nodes certainly should be evaluated for cancer. The MRI would be the most reasonable test - and it seems like you are doing the right thing by having this done, as well as followup with a liver specialist.
Cancer is one of the many things it can be. There are also a variety of benign lesions that are possible (i.e. cyst, hemangioma etc.), but the MRI would give a more definitive evaluation and guidance as to what to do next.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Cancer is one of the many things it can be. There are also a variety of benign lesions that are possible (i.e. cyst, hemangioma etc.), but the MRI would give a more definitive evaluation and guidance as to what to do next.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
