A Retrospective Study of the Ultrasound Imaging Characteristics of Juvenile Xanthogranuloma

TL;DR

This study analyzes ultrasound features of juvenile xanthogranuloma to improve its recognition, especially in infants and young children.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed ultrasound imaging profile of JXG, emphasizing its hypoechoic and well-defined characteristics.

Findings

Most JXG cases presented as solitary masses in patients ≤1 year old.

Ultrasound showed hypoechoic masses with clear boundaries and regular shapes.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed slight homogeneous enhancement.

Abstract

Objectives: To strengthen the recognition of juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) by analyzing ultrasound findings. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled these patients with pathologically confirmed JXG from January 2011 to March 2025. The clinical, imaging, pathological features, and prognosis of all included patients were analyzed. All the imaging features were evaluated in consensus by two radiologists. Results: Fourteen patients were included in the study. A total of 78.6% presented with solitary masses. The age of the patients ranged from 2 months to 48 years. Those aged ≤1 year accounted for 64.3% of the sample. The lesions were predominantly located on the head and face, and the skin of most patients was yellowish-orange. The ultrasound manifestations are mostly hypoechoic masses with clear boundaries and regular shapes. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound shows a slight homogeneous enhancement, and on shear wave elastography, it appears to be relatively hard. Conclusions: JXGs are more common in infants or young children and present with yellowish-orange, cutaneous lesions. Ultrasound revealed homogeneous, well-circumscribed, regular hypoechoic nodules. Multimodal imaging may be helpful for preoperative diagnosis.

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