Prevalence and sonographic detection of Chilaiditi's sign in cirrhotic patients without ascites.
OBJECTIVE
Although Chilaiditi's sign is uncommon, its recognition is mandatory to avoid intestinal injury during percutaneous transhepatic procedures. Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence of Chilaiditi's sign in cirrhotic patients without ascites and to review the diagnostic ability of sonography to detect this rare abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Chilaiditi's sign was much higher in cirrhotic patients without ascites than in the general population. A precise diagnosis of Chilaiditi's sign was possible using sonography. Percutaneous transhepatic procedures can be performed safely if a route that avoids the intestine is found.
Nakagawa
Hayato
H
Division of Gastroenterology, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, 1 Kanda-Izumi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8643, Japan. n-hayato@yf7.so-net.ne.jp
Toda
Nobuo
N
Taniguchi
Makoto
M
Ibukuro
Kenji
K
Tagawa
Kazumi
K
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography