Role of Ultrasound versus CT in Diagnosing Hepatic Focal Lesions

Abstract

Background: Hepatic focal lesions are frequent in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The aim of this research is to study the role of US versus CT in diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions. Material & Methods: Forty six patients (29 males and 17 females) with their ages ranged from 2 yeas up to 75 years, were selected from (156) patients with findings suspected focal hepatic lesions, examined by both US & CT.The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological results, surgically and clinical follow up . Results: The accuracy of CT for detection of the site, extension, outlines and relations of the lesions in all cases (100%). While US detected the site of the lesions in (93%),extension in (82%),outlines in ( 97 %) relations in (82%), contents and nature (67%) of cases ,while CT detected the contents and the natures of the lesions in(87%) & (93%) of cases respectively. Internal septa were detected by US in 40 cases (100%) while CT detected internal septa in 30 cases only (75%). Conclusion: Both US&CT can diagnose hepatic focal lesions easly, but CT is still superior to US in detection of the exact site, extension, outlines, relations, contents and nature of the lesions. However US have high ability for detection of fine internal septa inside the cystic masses, and should be done before CT, because it is easy and non invasive technique without any radiation hazards.