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6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
All rights reserved. Usage subject to terms and conditions of license.

6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation

Basic Principles
..............................................................................................................
n
Classification: acute or chronic; infectious; secondary to organic disease
n
Principal signs and symptoms:
x
Diarrhea:
- more than four bowel movements per day
– stool weight i 250 g/day – soft or liquid consistency
x
Constipation:
- two or fewer bowel movements per week
– stool volume significantly below the normal range of approximately
80–150 g/day – hard consistency
x
The passage of stool may or may not cause discomfort. Stool may be mucus­covered, bloody, watery, or granular and may contain grossly visible food residues.
n
Diagnosis:
x
The history is of key importance, as bowel habits are interpreted differently by different examiners. A stool examination may be helpful.
x
All patients with diarrhea should be evaluated for the presence of an infection and for organic disease. Blood work should be done and may include tests for infectious organisms (blood culture, complement binding reaction). The stool may also be examined for bacteriologic testing and antibody detection (e.g., clostridium antibody).
x
All true cases of chronic constipation are presumed to be caused by a stenosing lesion.
x
Only a few causes of diarrhea and constipation can be diagnosed with ultra­sound. Most cases should be investigated by endoscopy with tissue sampling and histologic evaluation.
n
The differential diagnosis is reviewed in Table 12, where the possible diagnoses are listed in order of their frequency in the general hospital setting.
Crohn Disease
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Small Intestine, p. 363, and Large Intestine, p. 366.
n
Clinical manifestations: diarrhea, occasionally bloody; abdominal pain over the
site of maximum inflammation; fever and malaise, malabsorption syndrome.
n
Diagnosis:
x
Physical examination: palpable mass (matted bowel loops due to transmural inflammation in Crohn disease); a fistula is often detectable
x
Sonography
x
High colonoscopy with ileoscopy and tissue sampling from all bowel segments (Crohn disease does not always produce grossly visible changes if it affects only the deep wall layers, and so generous biopsies should be taken in all suspected cases)
x
Gastroduodenoscopy may also be done, taking biopsies from the distal duode­num (Watson capsule biopsy may be obtained to evaluate for sprue).
x
Radiography: Double-contrast enema is necessary only if endoscopy cannot be done or the patient is believed to have diverticula.
6
6
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
87
6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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6
6
Table 12.Differential diagnosis of diarrhea and constipation
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Diagnosis Sonographic signs
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Common
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Crohn disease (p. 87)
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Homogeneous, hypoechoic wall thickening, often i 10 mm; discontinuous pattern of involvement; decreased peristalsis
Ulcerative colitis (p. 89) Continuous pattern of involvement with intraluminal wall
irregularities (pseudopolyps); wall thickening is less common
Abdominal tumor (p. 89) Target pattern, circumscribed wall thickening to 8 mm
Obstructive lesion (p. 89) Bidirectional peristalsis; fluid-distended bowel loops
Chronic pancreatitis,
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
pancreatic insufficiency
Nonhomogeneous parenchyma with coarse, high-level internal echoes (fibrosis, calcification)
(p. 89)
Diverticulitis (p. 90) Thickened, hypoechoic bowel wall; incomplete acoustic
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Less common
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hernia (p. 91)
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Rare
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Pseudo-obstruction (p. 91)
shadow from intraluminal air
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hernial sac with wall-thickened bowel loops, gap in the peritoneum
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Dilated bowel loops, decreased peristalsis, no obstruction of intestinal transit
Conditions that cannot be diagnosed with ultrasound
Common: Viral, bacterial and parasitic bowel disease; Whipple disease; panarteritis nodosa of the mesenteric vessels; drugs, poisoning, irritable bowel Less common: Lactase deficiency, reflex response to pain, fluid deficiency, electrolyte disor­ders Rare: Abdominal toxoplasmic lymphangitis, malabsorption syndrome (diagnosis, see Fig. 436, p. 300), intestinal polyps, carcinoid syndrome, hormone-producing tumor, hyper- or hypothyroidism, food allergy, antibody deficiency syndrome, cystic fibrosis, mesenteric lymph node tuberculosis
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Homogeneous, hypoechoic wall thickening, often i 10 mm, affecting a long segment of the bowel wall; a three-layered wall structure is occasionally seen
x
Decreased peristalsis
x
Luminal narrowing with prestenotic dilatation
x
Discontinuous pattern of involvement
x
Involvement of the cecum and terminal ileum
x
Frequent lymphadenopathy around affected bowel segments
x
Complications can be clearly identified: – Abscess (hypoechoic to anechoic mass, stationary, with irregular margins) – Conglomerate mass – Fistula – Ascites
88
6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
All rights reserved. Usage subject to terms and conditions of license.
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: The bowel-wall changes detectable with
ultrasound are not specific for chronic inflammatory bowel disease. However, the sum of the changes and their distribution pattern, combined with the patient’s history, provide a very high index of suspicion. The detectabl e complications will also suggest the correct diagnosis.
Ulcerative Colitis
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Large Intestine, p. 367.
n
Clinical manifestations : chronic diarrhea, frequently bloody; anemia, rarely pain
n
Diagnosis:
x
Sonography
x
High colonoscopy with ileoscopy and tissue sampling from all bowel segments, also to exclude carcinoma in long-standing cases; rectal biopsy is particularly advised (for positive differentiation from Crohn disease)
x
Gastroduodenoscopy may also be done if necessary.
x
Radiography: double-contrast enema is necessary only if endoscopy cannot be done.
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Continuous patte rn of intestinal involvement, usually confined to the rectum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon
x
Less commonly, there may be detectable wall thickening to a maximum of 8 mm (not as pronounced as in Crohn disease); wall thickness apparently correlates with the activity of the disease.
x
Irregular hypoechoic or echogenic intraluminal wall indicating pseudopolyp formation
x
Scans in long-standing cases show a rigid tube devoid of haustrations.
x
Complication: toxic megacolon
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: The sonographic signs may also appear in
infectious bowel diseases, so it is important to proceed with endoscopic examina­tion and biopsy.
Abdominal Tumor, Obstructive Lesion
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Diffuse Abdominal Pain, Mechanical Bowel Obstruction, p. 81, 82, 371; Large Intestine, Diffusely infiltrating carcinoma, p. 370; Colorectal carcinoma, p. 371.
n
Note: An abdominal tumor may remain asymptomatic for some time, and its
initial symptoms may result from mass effects, luminal narrowing, or other secondary effects (e.g., thrombosis).
Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Insufficiency
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Pancreas, Chronic Pancreatitis, p. 297; Pancreatitis of the body or tail of the pancreas, p. 306; Focal pancreatitis, p. 304.
n
Clinical manifestations: recurrent upper abdominal pain (pain ceases with
burned-out pancreatitis); pasty, fatty stools; weight loss, diabetes
n
Diagnosis:
x
History: With a history of recurrent bouts of pancreatitis, try to elicit the preci­pitating cause. Many patients have a history of alcoholism, gallstones, drugs, cystic fibrosis, malnutrition, or enzyme deficiency.
x
Stool examination: collect stool for 3 days, weigh the samples. An average daily weight i150 g suggests pancreatic insufficiency (sprue should be excluded; see Fig.
436), p. 300).
6
6
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
89
6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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6
x
Laboratory findings: glucose intolerance ranging to frank diabetes mellitus. Ele­vated cholesterol levels are common. Tests may include stool fat determination (more than 7 g of fat/day is abnormal). Less common tests are chymotrypsin determination and/or pancreatic lactase in the stool. Vitamin deficiencies are common.
x
Secretin-pancreozymin test is rarely necessary.
x
Sonography
x
Spot radiographs to check the pancreas for coarse calcifications
x
ERCP
n
Sonographic findings :
x
The pancreas may be normal in size, small, or even enlarged.
x
Generally the parenchyma is somewhat nonhomogeneous with coarse, high­level internal echoes (fibrosis, calcification).
x
There may be irregular hypoechoic to anechoic areas indicating pseudocyst
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
formation.
x
The surface of the organ may appear wavy and indistinct.
x
There may be irregularity and slight dilatation of the pancreatic duct, with or without calcification.
x
Bowel wall thickening may be noted in the duodenal C loop.
x
Incompressibility and “en bloc” movement of the fibrotic organ with aortic pulsations.
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis:
x
The detection of ductal dilatation, calcification, and pseudocysts confirms the diagnosis, and this can be done sonographically in almost 85 % of cases. If the findings are equivocal, there is evidence that CT scans can provide a somewhat higher diagnostic accuracy.
x
FNAB can help in distinguishing a segmental pancreatitis or pancreatic cysts from a pancreatic tumor, although the cytologic and histologic findings are not always conclusive.
x
With a sonographically confirmed tumor or indeterminate lesion that will or may be treated operatively, percutaneous biopsy is contraindicated because of the risk of seeding malignant cells along the needle track. A needle biopsy may be done if guided by endosonography, however, because the needle tract can subsequently be included in the resection.
Diverticulitis (Fig. 119)
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Large Intestine, p. 370, and Lower Abdominal Pain, p. 76.
n
Note: “Right-sided diverticulitis” of the sigmoid colon may be mistaken for
appendicitis.
Fig. 119 Abnormal target p attern in the right lower quadrant: sigmoid diverticulitis with peridiverticulitis. Differentiation is mainly required from appendicitis with an incipient perityphlitic abscess
90
6.4 Diarrhea and Constipation
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
All rights reserved. Usage subject to terms and conditions of license.
Hernia
..............................................................................................................
n
See Lower Abdominal Pain, p. 77, and Palpable Masses, p. 105.
Pseudo-Obstruction (Fig. 120)
..............................................................................................................
n
Classification:
x
Chronic, intermittent, secondary (diabetes mellitus, myxedema, amyloidosis, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, muscular dystrophy, endocrine disorders)
x
Idiopathic
x
Acute (Ogilvie syndrome) after a severe illness or surgical operation
n
Clinical manifestations: intermittent pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomit-
ing (suggests mechanical bowel obstruction); constipation, possible intermittent diarrhea with steatorrhea (in blind pouch syndrome due to intestinal bacterial overgrowth); malnutrition ranging to anorexia
n
Diagnosis:
x
History, clinical examination: Digital rectal examination is important (rectal ampulla is filled with stool in pseudo-obstruction, empty with a true obstruc­tion)
x
Laboratory tests, including tests for endocrine disorders
x
Sonography
x
Endoscopic examination and biopsy (amyloidosis, muscular dystrophy); air aspiration may also be therapeutic
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Distended bowel loops with increased fluid content
x
Small and large intestine may be affected
x
Decreased peristalsis
x
No obstruction of intestinal transit
x
Bowel wall appears thinned
x
The posterior walls of anterior bowel loops may not be visualized because of dehiscence and intraluminal air.
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: The sonographic findings are unequivocal,
but the diagnosis remains uncertain because the cause cannot be determined. A stenosing lesion may be missed at ultrasound examination. Doubts are resolved by endoscopy and histologic evaluation of biopsy samples.
6
6
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Fig. 120 Pseudo-obstruction: overdis­tended loops of colon with anterior intraluminal air (echogenic crescent). The plicae (arrows) and haustrations in this patient can still be identified
91
6.5 Unexplained Fever
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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6
6

6.5 Unexplained Fever

Basic Principles
..............................................................................................................
n
Principal signs and symptoms: malaise; undulating subfebrile temperatures are
most common, but fever may occur. Hematologic changes, anemia, elevated ESR. Weight loss, night sweats; constipation or diarrhea, or an alternation of both.
n
Diagnosis:
x
Basically, all infectious diseases should be excluded.
x
An occult abscess is frequently responsible for the disease and fever. A systema­tic search should be conducted and may include CT scans if required.
x
Virtually any tumor may cause unexplained fever.
x
If enlarged lymph nodes are found, the anatomy of the lymphatic drainage pathways can help direct the search for a primary tumor (Table
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
131, p. 99). As a general rule, superficial lymphatic vessels course with the cuta-
neous veins while deep lymphatics follow the arteries.
13 and Fig.
Table 13.Visceral lymph node metastases and their relationship to primary
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Sites of nodal metastases Primary tumor sites
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes
Superior mesenteric lymph nodes Right side of the colon, small intestine, pancreas
Celiac lymph nodes Lower esophagus, stomach
Lymph nodes at the porta hepatis Lower esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, gallbladder,
n
tumor sites
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Left side of the colon, sigmoid colon
pancreas, urogenital system
Differential diagnosis: Reviewed in Table 14, where the possible diagnoses are
listed in order of their frequency in the general hospital setting. The list includes lesions that cause relatively nonspecific complaints, making them more difficult to find. The examiner must remember to look for them.
Table 14.Differential diagnosis of unexplained fever
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Diagnosis Sonographic signs
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Common
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Gastrointestinal tumors
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hypoechoic round lesions, intestinal target patterns, signs of partial bowel obstruction
Pancreatic tumor (p. 94) Hypoechoic mass, dilatation of pancreatic and bile duct
Abscess (p. 94) Hypoechoic, sharply circumscribed mass that may show high-
level internal echoes
Pulmonary embolism (p. 95)
92
6.5 Unexplained Fever
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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Table 14.Differential diagnosis of unexplained fever – continued
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Diagnosis Sonographic signs
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Less common
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hypernephroma (p. 95)
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyy
Nonhomogeneous mass, variable echogenicity, pseudocapsule
Adrenal tumor (p. 96) Hypoechoic mass between the vena cava or aorta and the
superior renal pole
Malignant lymphoma (p. 97)
Diffuse organ infiltration or multiple, hypoechoic extra- and intra­abdominal round lesions distributed along vascular pathways
Breast carcinoma (p. 97) Variable echogenicity, ill-defined margins with tumor extensions,
usually a nonhomogeneous internal echo pattern
Endocarditis (p. 98) Thickened valves, echogenic deposits, valvular regurgitation
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Rare
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(TTE or TEE)
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyy
Sarcoma (p. 97)
Atrial myxoma (p. 98) Intracavitary echogenic mass, usually very mobile
Conditions that cannot be diagnosed with ultrasound
Common: Central bronchial carcinoma (chest wall tumors can be detected sonographically and sampled by ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy)
Less common: Leukemia Rare: Melanoma
Gastrointestinal Tumors (Figs. 121 and 122)
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Diffuse Abdominal Pain, Mechanical Bowel Obstruction, p. 81, 82, and Paralytic Ileus, p. 83.
n
Clinical manifestations : variable constipation, blood in the stool, weight loss.
n
Diagnosis: history that elicits specific information on gastrointestinal complaints;
clinical evaluation including a rectal examination; laboratory tests; endoscopy; abdominal CT.
6
6
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Fig. 121 Intestinal tumor: abnormal mass (T) with a thickened bowel wall (BW)
flexure: nonhomogeneous, hypoechoic colonic mass with associated wall thickening. The patient had a clinically palpable mass
Fig. 122 Tumor of the right colic
93
6.5 Unexplained Fever
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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6
6
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Hypoechoic round lesions distributed along the mesentery or along vessels
x
Intestinal target patterns
x
Signs of partial bowel obstruction, sometimes intermittent
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: An experienced examiner can detect intest-
inal lesions with high confidence, and the sonographic findings can direct the search for a primary tumor. Ultrasound should be supplemented by additional studies that supply more specific information.
Pancreatic Tumor (Fig. 123)
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Pancreas, Pancreatic carcinoma, p. 304.
n
Clinical manifestations: The tumor may remain asymptomatic for some time,
depending on its location (tail of pancreas). In most cases the tumor is no longer
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
curable by the time symptoms appear, particularly if there are detectable local or distant metastases and/or vascular invasion. Symptoms may include jaundice, inferior vena cava syndrome, and upper abdominal pain.
n
Diagnosis: Imaging studies consist of sonography, ERCP, and CT if necessary.
Percutaneous FNAB is done only to confirm the diagnosis in inoperable cases. A histologic diagnosis is made at operation.
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Hypoechoic mass
x
Dilated pancreatic duct
x
Obstructed bile duct
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis : The changes associated with a pancreatic
tumor are clearly detectable with ultrasound, although pancreatitis cannot always be distinguished from a tumor. If there is any doubt, a prompt exploratory lapar­otomy is advised.
Fig. 123 Metastasis from a pancreatic tumor. The metastasis (M) is compres­sing the hepatic artery (arrow), and the primary tumor (T) is compressing the pancreatic duct (DP), which is markedly expanded. VL = splenic vein, TR = celiac trunk
Abscess (Figs. 124 and 125)
..............................................................................................................
n
See also Arteries and Veins, Periprosthetic Infection, p. 206; Upper Abdominal Pain, Subphrenic Abscess, p. 71; Postoperative Compl ications, p. 434.
n
Note: Abscesses may form in any organ as a result of bacterial dissemination.
Occasionally they are preceded by an interventional procedure. The history may narrow the differential diagnosis in these cases.
n
Clinical manifestations: unexplained fever, significant malaise; occasional dull
pain at the abscess site. A palpable mass may be noted, depending on the location of the abscess.
94
6.5 Unexplained Fever
Schmidt, Ultrasound © 2007 Thieme
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Fig. 124 Hepatic abscess caused by gas-forming organisms : hypoechoic mass (M) with high-level internal echoes (air). L = liver
n
Diagnosis: history; blood count, blood culture; sonography (scans may be directed
Fig. 125 Splenic abscess: hypoechoic splenic mass with ill-defined margins
by clinical complaints)
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Hypoechoic mass, usually with smooth but irregular margins
x
High-level internal echoes with gas-forming organisms
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: The diagnosis can be made sonographically
with high confidence. CDS and harmonic imaging are helpful. If doubt exists, ultra­sound contrast agents can be used to confirm that the mass is avascular (unneces­sary in most cases). The diagnosis is established by percutaneous aspiration and examination of the aspirate to identify the infecting organism and determine its antibiotic sensitivity. The abscess is evacuated in the same sitting, and if necessary it may be drained under sonographic guidance.
Pulmonary Embolism
..............................................................................................................
n
See Upper Abdominal Pain, p. 67.
Hypernephroma (Fig. 126)
..............................................................................................................
n
Clinical manifestations: Most of these tumors are asymptomatic, and the only
manifestation may be intermittent fever in the absence of infection. Microhema­turia is usually present; gross hematuria is rare. An expansile tumor will cause flank pain and a palpable intra-abdominal mass. Metastases are seeded to the lung, CNS, bone, and thyroid gland. Late features include fatigue, weight loss, and cachexia.
n
Note: Tumors detected early by ultrasound are surgically curable.
n
Diagnosis:
x
Urinalysis: All patients with hematuria should be evaluated for serious under­lying disease. Possible causes are renal, bladder and urinary tract tumors; glo­merulonephritis (casts in urinary sediment); and pyelonephritis.
x
Sonography
x
Intravenous pyelography; abdominal CT if required
n
Sonographic findings :
x
Nonhomogeneous renal mass; may be associated with regressive changes, intratumoral hemorrhage, or both
x
Lesion transcends the renal capsule
x
Variable echogenicity relative to the renal parenchyma
x
Lesion is well delineated by a pseudocapsule
6
6
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
95
6.5 Unexplained Fever
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6
Fig. 126 Large, hypoechoic tumor (T). Partial hypechoic transformation of sinus echo due to tumor vein thrombo­sis. K = kidney
n
Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis: Even small, asymptomatic renal cell carcino-
Principal Signs and Symptoms
Principal Signs and Symptoms
mas can be detected at an early stage by routine sonography. Tumors as small as 5 mm can be visualized under favorable conditions. In a selective tumor search, renal changes can be reliably detected and referred for further evaluation. The tumor may be mistaken for a cystic lesion on ultrasound, and percutaneous aspira­tion should be carried out. A cyst contains clear yellowish fluid, whereas a carci­noma yields a turbid, sometimes bloody aspirate that may be cytologically negative.
Adrenal Tumor (Fig. 127)
..............................................................................................................
n
Clinical manifestations: lethargy, electrolyte disorders, hormonal disorders;
upper abdominal pain due to mass effect; edema due to vena cava compression syndrome
n
Diagnosis:
x
History, clinical findings
x
Laboratory tests (20 % of adrenal tumors are nonfunctioning): electrolytes, 24-hour cortisol levels if required; androgens, andosterone, suppression test
x
Sonography with ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration
x
CT examination if required
ab
Fig. 127a–c Adrenal tumor. a Non­homogeneous, hypoechoic mass (P) “in” the liver (L), suspicious for an hepatic tumor. b Hypoechoic mass (cursors) by the right superior renal pole in the same patient. c Flank scan demonstrates a large, hypoechoic adrenal tumor (AT) medial to the anterior part of the left
c
96
superior renal pole (K). Diagnosis : pheochromocytoma. S = spleen