Radiology, Vol 197, 723-727, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Microabscesses of the liver and spleen in AIDS: detection with 5-MHz sonography

JG Murray, MD Patel, S Lee, JS Sandhu and VA Feldstein
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, USA.

PURPOSE: To determine whether sonograms of the liver and spleen, obtained with 5-MHz linear-array transducers, aid in detection of hepatosplenic microabscesses in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal sonographic examinations (n = 111) were performed in 102 consecutive patients with AIDS. A 3.5-MHz sector transducer was used in each study, with additional images of the hepatic and splenic parenchyma obtained with a 5-MHz linear-array transducer. Each study was reviewed without benefit of the 5-MHz images, and categories of the hepatic and splenic parenchyma were as follows: 1, lesions definitely present; 2, lesions possibly present; and 3, lesions absent. The 5-MHz images were subsequently reviewed, and studies were recategorized. Findings were correlated with results of pathologic examination. RESULTS: The 5-MHz scans enabled identification of focal hepatic or splenic lesions in 14 of 96 studies placed in category 2 or 3 on the basis of the 3.5-MHz sector scans. CONCLUSION: In patients with AIDS, 5-MHz sonograms of the liver and spleen enable detection of microabscesses not confidently identified on 3.5-MHz scans.

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