[Failure of puncture sonographic diagnosis of focal liver lesions--the influence of possible sources of error].

A correct diagnosis was obtained in 92 cases (87.6%) of 105 sonographically monitored fine-needle punctures of focal lesions of the liver; in 13 cases (12.4%) the diagnosis was wrong. Both groups were compared with each other in respect of the anatomic and sonographic properties of the puncture targets and the technique of biopsy employed. Reflexibility and definability of the lesions did not influence the number of wrong diagnoses in puncture sonography; likewise, the following factors did not affect the quota of errors: the macroscopic structure of the punctate; the outer diameter of the fine needle; and the fact whether puncture was effected by means of a special biopsy sound head or by free-hand technique. Limited influence was exercised by the size and depth position of the intrahepatic space-occupying growths and by the number of punctures.