D. Harinath1, B. Suresh2, Smrita Swamy3, Kiran K. U. V4
Investigators have stressed the ability of CT and US to image abdominal masses and have touted them as first-line imaging modalities. MRI may be used to evaluate complex lesions not definitely characterized by US or CT. We want to evaluate the utility of US and CT for evaluating abdominal masses in our rural India setup, wherein the study has to be appropriately utilized and tailored to the clinical need and also according to the socioeconomic situation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study done in Department of Radiodiagnosis, PES Institute of medical sciences, Kuppam, between November 2011 to June 2013 in 30 patients with suspicious of abdominal masses and referred to the Department of Radio diagnosis and Imaging, for ultrasound and CT scan of abdomen. RESULTS: Ultrasound and CT has 73% and 100% sensitivity respectively for identifying the site of origin in abdominal and retroperitoneal masses when compared with surgical findings. Ultrasound is less sensitive for the detection of fat and characterization of retroperitoneal masses compared to CT. By combining the ultrasound and CT findings we can able to give the histopathological diagnosis in 83% cases of abdominal mass lesions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ultrasound and CT has additive role in the evaluation of abdominal masses and their management.
