[Sonography today: reference values in abdominal ultrasound: aorta, inferior vena cava, kidneys].

Objective: Reference values for B-mode abdominal ultrasound are controversially discussed due to the limited data in the literature. A systematic survey of data published so far is presented for the big retroperitoneal vessels and the kidneys.

Methods: A literature review of reference values in the abdomen from 1970 to 2011 in healthy subjects 18 years of age and older was undertaken.

[Reference values in abdominal ultrasound - biliopancreatic system and spleen].

Objective: Reference values for B-mode abdominal ultrasound are controversially discussed due to the limited data in the literature. A systematic survey of the data published so far is presented for the biliopancreatic system and the spleen.

Methods: A literature review of reference values in the abdomen from 1970 to 2010 in healthy subjects 18 years of age and older was carried out.

[Reference values in abdominal ultrasound - liver and liver vessels].

Objective: Reference values for B-mode abdominal ultrasound are being controversially discussed due to the limited data in the literature. A systematic survey of data published so far is presented for liver and hepatic vessels.

Methods: A literature search for reference values in the abdomen from 1970 to 2010 in healthy subjects 18 years of age and older was carried out.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for imaging of adrenal masses.

Purpose: The number of incidentally discovered adrenal masses is growing due to the increased use of modern high-resolution imaging techniques. However, the characterization and differentiation of benign and malignant adrenal lesions is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the characterization of adrenal masses.

Follow-up measurements of Nevirapine plasma levels over a prolonged period.

Over a period of more than four years of treatment, 177 Nevirapine plasma levels were taken from 27 patients. The values showed a high inter-patient variability and a lower intra-patient variability. Differences in body weight turned out to be the main reason for inter-patient variability.