Morphologic Aspects of Hepatic Abscesses at Computed Tomography and Ultrasound

Abstract

The morphologic criteria of hepatic abscesses as demonstrated at computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) were investigated in 27 patients and the diagnostic efficiency of both methods evaluated. Different appearance of hepatic abscess at CT and US were observed and investigated. No specific morphologic signs could be defined, since malignant neoplasms may show similar findings. Therefore, fine needle aspiration of possible hepatic abscesses should be performed to provide specific and bacteriologic diagnosis. US is an accurate method to evaluate patients with possible hepatic abscess. However, CT should be perferred in critically ill patients and postoperatively, since the diagnostic accuracy of CT is not limited by bowel gas, sutures and drainage tubes.