title: The combined role of intravenous contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT) in liver abscess diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Through this study, we intend to review the main aspects regarding the contrast enhanced ultrasound evaluation of liver abscesses, pursuing a comparative analysis between the medical literature and our own experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2008 until December 2010 we have evaluated in our department a consecutive series of 11 patients with liver abscesses (7 males, 63.63%) all between the ages of 45 and 74. All the patients displayed a clinical and biological picture leading to an inflammatory process. The imaging diagnosis was made after confronting the results of the contrast enhanced ultrasound with those of the computed tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 out of 11 patients that were part of the study, we have assessed 14 liver abscesses. A single patient showed spread lesions inside both liver lobes, and they were assessed as hepatic micro abscesses. Three of the patients showed multiple right lobe lesions, 7 patients showed single lesions and one patient showed disseminated lesions within both lobes. We examined six mature lesions, 4 lesions with incomplete necrosis and 4 immature lesions, with no necrosis. The particular aspect of mycotic microabscesses is mentioned at the conventional ultrasound and at the CEUS as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various types of hepatic abscesses have different imaging findings, and typical CT and CEUS findings can suggest the diagnosis.
authors: Ultrasound Department, Octavian Fodor Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Hatieganu.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Feier
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Socaciu
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Anton
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Al Hajjar
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Badea
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media