The value of ultra sound in evaluation of the focal hepatic lesions

Objective: Assessing the value of conventional ultrasound (US) for detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesion. Setting: The examination conducted in Radiological department in Al-Zahrawi Teaching Hospital, IBN-Sina Teaching Hospital and Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Hospital. Participants: Selective 80 patients referred for US department with focal hepatic lesion and their diagnosis confirmed by CT and histopathological examination. Result: Of 80 patients with focal hepatic lesion, 41 cases (51.2%) found in male and mean age group is between 51-60 years. The hepatic focal lesion found to be multiple in 46 cases (57.5%) and the right lobe of the liver is predominately involved in 45 cases (56.3%). Benign hepatic lesions were more common than malignants which was 43 cases (54%) of total sample. Solid hepatic lesion forms large constituting in about 53 cases (66.25%) that show low echogenicity in 21 cases (37.5%). Finally the lesions have been diagnosed by CT in 43 cases and histopathological examination in 37 cases show correct diagnosis by US in 24 cases and 26 cases respectively. Conclusion: US imaging is considered a reliable and cheap modality which is commonly used in evaluating most of the focal hepatic lesions as a first diagnostic method especially cystic lesions. Hydatid disease and secondary hepatic metastasis are more common focal hepatic lesions in our patients.