Subcutaneous nodules at the injection site of low-molecular-weight heparin: a mimic of XXXX at CT.

@entity5 @entity1 @entity3
PURPOSE: To describe the appearance and prevalence of subcutaneous nodules in the anterior abdominal wall seen at CT in @entity5 @entity1 receiving subcutaneous injections of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). METHODS: CT examinations were reviewed in 426 @entity1 receiving subcutaneous abdominal wall injections of LMWH for the presence of nodules. Nodules were evaluated for contour, maximal diameter, CT attenuation, and presence of hazy changes or air in the surrounding fat. RESULTS: Fourteen (3%) of the 426 @entity1 had nodules attributable to subcutaneous injections of LMWH. Findings included poorly defined borders (100%), adjacent hazy soft tissue changes (100%), adjacent air (57%), and a mean CT attenuation of -4.4 HU (range: -50-40 HU). Three (0.7%) of 426 @entity1 had nodules caused by @entity3 . One (33%) nodule had poorly defined borders, two (67%) had surrounding hazy changes, one (33%) had air in adjacent tissue, and there was a mean CT attenuation of 44 HU (range: 14-140 HU). One (0.2%) @entity1 had a subcutaneous nodule of uncertain etiology. CONCLUSION: @entity1 receiving subcutaneous injections of LMWH may develop nodules at the injection sites. Such nodules can resemble @entity3 deposits at CT, and careful correlation with clinical history and growth trends of metastatic deposits elsewhere in the @entity1 is needed to avoid misdiagnosis.
