Confluent hepatic fibrosis as the presenting imaging sign in nonadvanced alcoholic cirrhosis

Confluent hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is usually a feature of advanced cirrhosis, while occurrence in early stage compensated cirrhosis is uncommon. We report the imaging findings of masslike CHF in a patient with previously unsuspected compensated alcoholic cirrhosis. The combination of partially wedge shape, minimal capsular retraction, and homogeneous delayed enhancement on multiphase contrast-enhanced spiral CT led to the characterization of the lesions and establishment of the diagnosis of cirrhosis. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.