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Title: Variable CT appearance of hepatic abscesses

Journal Article · · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

Fifty computed tomographic (CT) scans in 33 patients with 37 separate episodes of hepatic abscess were reviewed retrospectively. Abnormalitites were detected in all but one case (97% sensitivity). 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.

Research Organization:
Duke Univ. Medical Center, Durham, NC
OSTI ID:
7014990
Journal Information:
AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Vol. 142:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English