[Value of ultrasound in screening for liver metastases and liver involvement in malignant systemic disease].

The value of sonography as a primary screening method for the diagnosis of liver metastases or liver involvement by malignant lymphoma has been investigated in 163 patients. The following results were obtained: sensitivity 92%, specificity 80%, accuracy 85%. In 109 patients CT findings were also considered. The high proportion of correct positive and low proportion of low false negative findings makes sonography the method of choice for primary screening. The figures also indicate that if sonography is negative, other diagnostic procedures are unnecessary. If sonography is abnormal, but the findings are not clear, then computed tomography is indicated.