utility of real-time ultrasonography vs alpha-fetoprotein estimation and computed tomography in the diagnosis of focal hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver cirrhosis

A total of 146 cirrhotic patients were examined by ultrasonography. In 26 patients [17.8%], a space occupying lesion was detected, while the serum AFP level was higher than 200 ng/ml in only 10 of them [38.5%]. Abdominal CT scanning was successful in displaying the focal hepatic lesion in 22 out of the 26 patients [84.6%]. To verify the diagnosis of these lesion, CT-guided biopsy was performed in only 18 patients out of the 22 patients, 4 patients were excluded [liver bathed in ascites in 3 patients and prothrombin concentration below 40% in one patient

utility of real-time ultrasonography vs alpha-fetoprotein estimation and computed tomography in the diagnosis of focal hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver cirrhosis

A total of 146 cirrhotic patients were examined by ultrasonography. In 26 patients [17.8%], a space occupying lesion was detected, while the serum AFP level was higher than 200 ng/ml in only 10 of them [38.5%]. Abdominal CT scanning was successful in displaying the focal hepatic lesion in 22 out of the 26 patients [84.6%]. To verify the diagnosis of these lesion, CT-guided biopsy was performed in only 18 patients out of the 22 patients, 4 patients were excluded [liver bathed in ascites in 3 patients and prothrombin concentration below 40% in one patient

Assessment of gall bladder stones by different non-invasive modalities and correlation with chemical analysis

CT examination can enable reliable non-invasive prediction of gall stones composition and selection of candidates for non-surgical treatment. In all twenty patients with gall stones plain abdominal radiography, abdominal ultrasonography, and CT scans of the abdominal were done and analysed. Cholecystectomy was performed for all patients and the results of the previous tests were correlated with chemical analysis of the extracted stones. The results revealed that CT was highly accurate in determining gall stone composition when compared with plain abdominal radiography and ultrasonography. CT attenuation values were inversely proportional to the cholesterol content and directly correlated to the calcium content of he gall stones. Attenuation coefficient was more linked to the cholesterol than to he calcium content. This result is very useful clinically as the best results with dissolving agents can be expected with stones with high cholesterol and low calcium contents