Ultrasound guided needle biopsy versus open surgical biopsy in diagnosis of abdominal masses

This work included 73 cases of abdominal masses, of which 37 cases had hepatic masses, 14 renal masses, 7 alimentary tract masses, 6 pancreatic masses, 6 retroperitoneal masses, 2 suprarenal masses and 1 splenic mass. All cases underwent ultrasound [US] guided needle biopsy using different types of needles. True-cut needle was used in 28 cases, fine needle in 30 cases, spinal needle in 12 cases and biopsy gun in 3 cases. Open surgical biopsy was done in 47 cases, it was done as diagnostic, therapeutic or both. The surgical biopsies were sent for histopathology aiming for comparison and confirmation with the results of the ultrasound guided needle biopsies. In comparing between ultrasound guided needle biopsy and the open surgical one; the former technique offers a safe, rapid, relatively simple and less invasive approach to a histologic or cytologic diagnosis. However, it has some limitations in the diagnosis, either in the technique or in the amount of tissue sample needed for an accurate diagnosis

Assessment of gastroparesis in patients with liver cirrhosis

This study was done on 30 patients with established liver cirrhosis compared with 10 healthy age and sex matched individuals. To assess gastroparesis in those individuals, half gastric emptying time was measured ultrasonographically. It was significantly longer in patients than the controls. It also correlated to the severity of liver affection as it was significantly longer in Child-Pugh grade C cirrhotics than Child-Pugh grades A and B cirrhotics. Also, there was a significant longer 1/2 gastric emptying time in patients with ascites, esophageal varices or hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, cirrhotic patients with shrunken liver had significantly longer 1/2 gastric emptying time than those with average sized or enlarged liver. The 1/2 gastric emptying time was also correlated with dyspeptic symptoms