GRAY-SCALE ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF HEPATIC AMEBIC-ABSCESSES

Retrospective analysis of the ultrasonograms of 42 hepatic amoebic abscesses in 34 patients was performed. All lesions were less echogenic than normal liver. All but 1 were contiguous with the liver capsule and had slight distal sonic enhancement. Twenty-three were predominantly homogeneous with fine, low-level echoes. This pattern is highly suggestive of hepatic amoebic abscess. Nineteen abscesses did not show this pattern and could not be diagnosed based on ultrasonographic criteria.