Ultrasonic display of blood on both sides of the splenogastric ligament (left butterfly sign) in the left traumatized patient indicates hemoperitoneum within the lesser sac. Particular attention must be paid then to the splenic parenchyma, where isoechogenic blood clots can mask a hematoma. The association of subtile parenchymal changes and of a left butterfly sign are relevant of frank splenic lesions.

Hematoma↗

PubMed1987

Tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava secondary to malignant abdominal neoplasms: US and CT evaluation.

Nineteen patients with histologically proved tumor thrombi of the inferior vena cava (IVC) secondary to abdominal neoplasms were studied with the use of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). The primary neoplasms were renal cell carcinoma (13 cases), adrenal tumors (two cases), retroperitoneal tumors (two cases), and hepatic tumors (two cases). A positive diagnosis of tumor thrombus was achieved by both methods. The cranial extent of the tumor thrombus was better demonstrated by US studies, which showed echogenic endoluminal material within an enlarged IVC with a bulging anterior wall. On CT scans the tumor thrombus usually appeared as an endoluminal filling defect surrounded by a rim of contrast material. Tumor thrombus was better outlined by CT, particularly when it extended beyond the limits of the IVC wall, as in the retroperitoneal tumors. Neither method could accurately be used to predict IVC wall infiltration when the tumor thrombus remained within the confines of the IVC, nor could either method differentiate tumor from nontumor thrombi. US and CT are complementary in the preoperative assessment of tumor thrombus, and their use obviates the need for venacavography in many cases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed1986

Ultrasound and CT of peritoneal recesses and ligaments: a pictorial essay.

US and CT permit one to visualize peritoneal recesses and ligaments. Ultrasonic analysis relies mostly on the liquid contrast of peritoneal effusions. CT demonstrates more readily the fatty and vascular contents of ligaments. Thus ultrasound displays essentially the thin part of ligaments, which CT is unable to show due to kinetic blur, whereas CT demonstrates readily the thick fatty parts of those peritoneal elements.

Ascites↗

PubMed1986

[The place of ultrasonics in the diagnosis of traumatic hemoperitoneum].

Classically, the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum is based on clinical symptoms, which are not always relevant. Several complementary procedures can be considered when dealing with polytraumatic patients who may be comatose: scintigraphy, arteriography, CT, sonography and peritoneal lavage. The authors have finally selected sonography and lavage. Since ultrasound is reliable, reproductable and non aggressive, it is being more and more utilized. It readily shows solid-liquid contrast, and is particularly sensitive in displaying fluid in peritoneal recesses; parenchymal lesions are also evaluated. II enables one to explore the abdominal cavity with precision. Lavage is reserved for acute lesion with severe, evolutive hemoperitoneum, requiring immediate surgery. The indications for other imaging modalities are also discussed.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1986

[Ultrasonics in abdominal emergencies. Results of a series of 179 cases].

The study of a series of 179 emergency ultrasonic examinations showed a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 98%. Such results confirm the reliability of real-time sonography in the assessment of the acute abdomen, obstructive intestinal syndromes still requiring mainly conventional procedures. With this exception, the part of ultrasound in the diagnostic and the therapeutic strategies is essential. Associated to plain X-ray films, it enables one to curb down the number of other imaging procedures, such as IVP, angiography, or CT. Emergency ultrasound, particularly in traumatology, requires trained, competent radiologists. Performant machines should be available in admittance and intensive care wards.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1986

[An x-ray computed tomographic study of peritoneal ligaments and various mesos].

The CT analysis of peritoneal ligaments and mesos is possible thanks to the fluid contrast introduced by ascites, but also by identification of their contents: fat and opacified vascular elements. Ascites renders easy the display of the falciform ligament. Other displayed ligaments are the smaller omentum, the gastrosplenic ligament, the splenopancreatic ligament, the phrenolienal and phrenocolonic ligaments, the mesocolon, the mesosigmoid, the mesentery and the broad ligaments. The radioanatomic patterns of those peritoneal elements are depicted.

Ascites↗

PubMed1986

[Ménétrier's disease detected by scanner].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: correlative US and CT study.

A total of 24 cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) due to Echinococcus multilocularis was assessed by US and CT. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by immunologic and histologic study. Both US and CT patterns of HAE showed changes of liver morphology in both contour and size. Abnormal areas of parenchyma were nodular or in fields, irregular, heterogeneous, and basically echogenic. On CT these lesions were hypodense (30 to 40 HU) and did not show enhancement after administration of intravenous contrast medium. Clustered microcalcifications were encountered within the abnormal parenchymal fields in 50% of cases, and necrotized zones occurred in 40% of cases. Dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts was commonly seen, especially on US; hilar involvement was frequent. Follow-up by both techniques can display increases of primary lesions, occurrence of new foci, and local or regional extensions. Precise evaluation of the lesions arising from correlative use of US and CT permits adequate therapeutic management.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

[The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of traumatic hemoperitoneum].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Hemoperitoneum↗

PubMed1985

[Lymphographic and x-ray computed tomographic determination of criteria for normality of the transverse diameter of retroperitoneal lymph nodes].

Evaluation of ganglionic extension in malignant processes rely widely on ultrasound and CT. However the information yielded by those procedures regarding the ganglionic structure is poor. What is appreciated is the size of ganglia, that is presence or absence of adenomegaly. A CT study of subjects in which lymphography did not reveal structural or size changes enables one to specify the following criteria of normality: The transverse diameter of abdominal lymph nodes should not exceed 1,5 cm. The product: transverse diameter X antero posterior diameter should not exceed 2.

Female↗

PubMed1979

Ultrasonic visualization of Wirsung's duct: dream or reality?

Ultrasonic visualization of normal and pathological Wirsung's ducts has become quite common, especially with the newest gray scale units. Ductal images were studied in 17 cases of quiescent chronic pancreatitis. Duct dilatation could be identified in the majority

Common Bile Duct↗

PubMed1979

[Success rate of ultrasonic exploration of the pancreas. Results of 266 followed-up cases].

In two series amounting to 266 cases, the overall success rate of ultrasonic diagnosis, in pancreatic lesions was 94%. Since most of pancreatic lesions, when clinical symptoms are present, are already rather large, imaging improvements did not enhance accurary, except for small lesions. The tenative analysis of small abnormalities can be responsible, with last generation machines, for an increase of false positive diagnoses.

Diagnostic Errors↗

PubMed1979

[Gastric and intestinal appearances by abdominal ultrasound. The sign of brownian motion (author's transl)].

Gastric, as well as intestinal images, are always present on abdominal ultrasonic scans. Since they are difficult to analyse, such images are usually neglected. Morphological and dynamic criterial (as the "brownian movement sign") enable to identify stomach and intestine. It is then possible to avoid the misinterpretation of normal anatomic elements as pathological processes, and, from time to time, to diagnose specific gastrointestinal lesions.

Adult↗