[The prevalence of diffuse and focal lesions of the hepatic parenchyma in a nonselected, resident population. A prospective echographic study].
A group of 2978 randomly chosen residents from a rural area of Veneto (Italian region), aged 18-69 years, was assumed as a study population. They underwent US examination of the liver, routine liver function tests, and--when necessary--other imaging techniques and liver biopsy. Liver US exam detected diffuse lesions in 26% of cases (mostly bright liver pattern), and focal lesions in 3%; US findings were normal in 66% of patients and questionable or inconclusive in 5%. As far as focal lesions were concerned, the final diagnosis was angioma (24 cases), cyst (31), neoplasm (5). When bright liver pattern was observed, liver function tests were altered in 78% of the patients; when US findings were normal, liver function tests were normal in 59% of cases. In conclusion our data: 1) show that focal and diffuse liver abnormalities are relatively frequent in unselected and asymptomatic people, 2) confirm US diagnostic utility, and 3) suggest that US be employed as a screening exam in study populations.
Angelini
F
F
II Servizio di Radiologia, Ospedale Civile, Padova.
Nassuato
G
G
Okolicsanji
L
L
Toso
S
S
Corbetti
F
F
Zacchi
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
Prevalenza delle lesioni diffuse e focali del parenchima epatico in uná popolazione residente, non selezionata. Studio prospettico ecografico.