title: The variable CT appearance of hepatic abscesses.
abstract: Fifty computed tomographic (CT) scans in 33 patients with 37 separate episodes of hepatic abscess were reviewed retrospectively. Abnormalities were detected in all but one case (97% sensitivity). However, a characteristic CT appearance of hepatic abscess was not evident. Most intrahepatic foci were solitary, but multiple abscesses were present in 34% of cases. The CT appearance of the lesions varied from well defined, rounded cavities with contents near water density, resembling poorly defined hepatic cysts, to higher-density foci indistinguishable from hepatic neoplasms. In only 19% was gas present within the abscess. Rim enhancement was seen in only 6%. This study suggests that CT is a sensitive test for detecting hepatic abscess but is often nonspecific.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002175:Candida; D003287:Contrast Media; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013210:Staphylococcus; D013291:Streptococcus; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media