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Ultrasonographic features of amoebic abscess: Study in 59 patients
Author(s) -
HADI SUJONO
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1986.tb00133.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amoebic liver abscess , abscess , liver abscess , radiology , pleural effusion , percutaneous , pericardial effusion , effusion , surgery , metronidazole , ultrasound , antibiotics , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Sonographic examination was carried out in 59 patients with a clinical diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess during the previous 4 years (January 1982 to December 1985). The amoebic liver abscess was located in the right lobe in 45 patients, in the left lobe in eight patients, and in both lobes in six patients. The ultrasonic diagnosis was confirmed in the majority of patients by the indirect haemaglutination test (titres 1:512 or greater) coupled with excellent response to metronidazole, or by ultrasonic‐guided percutaneous aspiration producing anchovy sauce pus. The sonographic patterns of the abscess were evaluated. All patients had well‐defined hypoechoic lesions near the surface, which demonstrated fine homogeneous low‐level echoes throughout at a normal and a high‐gain setting, without a peripheral echo‐free halo. The configuration of the abscess was round, oval or lobulated. The walls were irregular in 53 patients, and showed a slight distal sonic enhancement. This ultrasonic feature is suggestive of amoebic liver abscess. The specific ultrasonographic features of amoebic liver abscess, combined with a feature of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or an abdominal abscess, were suggestive of the complications of liver abscess found in 19 patients. It is concluded that ultrasonography is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess. It is of value not only for detection, but also for determination of the site, depth, size, and location of the complicating rupture of the abscess.