Ultrasonography and computed tomography in diagnosis of liver abscess

Nineteen patients of liver abscess were reviewed on diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and computed tomography. US detected all patients except one, and suggested correct diagnosis in half. CT detected 16 in 18 patients, and a third of the cases could be diagnosed correctly. Intravenous injection of contrast material was necessary in detecting the lesion and diagnosis. On the basis of this study, we conclude ultrasonography is the first procedure in the workup of this disease. If the examination is equivocal or negative in the face of contradictory clinical evidence, then CT, especially contrast enhancement CT, is performed. (author)