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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with AIDS, 5-MHz sonograms of the liver and spleen enable detection of microabscesses not confidently identified on 3.5-MHz scans.
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014386:Tuberculosis, Hepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014400:Tuberculosis, Splenic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography