Preliminary evaluation of sonolaparoscopy in the diagnosis of liver diseases.

A preliminary report is made on the use of sonolaparoscopy to overcome limitations of sonography and laparoscopy in the diagnosis of liver disease. The instruments used consisted of a sonolaparoscope with a mechanical radial scanner (LPSUMI/EUM1; Olympus) and the first prototype of an electronic sonolaparoscope (Olympus). Sonolaparoscopy was shown to be particularly suitable for detection and differentiation of occult liver lesions, cysts, tumors, various benign focal hyperplasias and various granulomata.