[Sonographic diagnosis of liver tumors. Results of comparative studies of ultrasound, computerized tomography, laparoscopy, biopsy and scintigraphy in 413 patients].

Based on a retrospective study of 413 patients, the accuracy of sonography compared to CT, laparoscopy, biopsy and scintigraphy in the primary diagnosis of liver masses is shown. False positive sonographic reports are analysed in retrospect. 190 of 338 solid space-occupying growths of the liver have sonographically been called definite growths and 148 have been considered suspicious of being such growths. 49 of the cystic lesions were considered definitely cystic and 26 suspicious. Sonography made correct positive diagnoses in 91.8% of the cysts and in 88.9% of the solid growths. The diagnostic accuracy of solid growths (without further specification) was 90%. Among the sonographically suspicious ones the specific diagnosis was correct in 80.8% of the cystic lesions and in 44.5% of the solid lesions and a correct diagnosis without further specification was made in 55.4%. The majority of false positive diagnoses corresponded to normal findings in other methods. The number of false positive diagnoses in sonography in contrast to CT depends to a high degree on the experience of the physician. Before the use of other more invasive methods the sonographically suspicious findings should therefore be double-checked by an experienced colleague with several years of sonographic experience.