The aim of the study was to estimate the value of CT in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias and at the same time to create a standard for this CT investigation. Twenty-four patients with suspected hernia of the abdominal wall were examined. All were operated on. The CT scans were assessed by two radiologists to estimate the interobserver variation. The CT diagnoses made by the two radiologists were correct in 83 % and 79 % of cases, respectively. The sensitivity was 0.83 in both CT evaluations and the specificity was 0.83 and 0.67, respectively. The predictive value of a positive CT finding was 0.94 and 0.88, while the predictive value of a negative CT finding was 0.63 and 0.57, respectively. The interobserver variation (kappa) was 0.87. The study therefore indicates that a positive CT finding of abdominal wall hernia is reliable, while a negative finding does not exclude the diagnosis. The interobserver variation of the CT diagnoses is acceptable. To achieve the highest diagnostic accuracy, it is recommended to always use the Valsalva manoeuvre, oral intake of contrast and 10/10 mm CT slices.

Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe infections in humans and persons with preexisting liver disorders are especially at risk. In this paper we report what is to our knowledge the first fatal case of V. vulnificus infection in Denmark. The patient was a 68‐year‐old man with a history of chronic lymphatic leukemia and hepatic cirrhosis. Physicians should be aware of the clinical manifestations of this disease and should be especially attentive to patients at risk of acquiring the infection if there has been possible exposure to V. vulnificus by contact with seawater or contaminated material such as eels.

The anatomic variants of the hepatic arteries observed in 216 abdominal arteriographies were analysed. A comparison was made with MICHELS' work based upon 200 anatomic dissections, and SUZUKI'S investigation of 200 abdominal arteriographies. Seven not previously classified anatomic variants of the hepatic arteries were found. The large number of variants may be ascribed to intricacies in the development of the vascular supply in the embryo and to the normal caudal displacement of the liver taking place in the embryo and fetus. Knowledge concerning existing variants is important in performing surgery, embolization and intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in the hepatic region.

To illucidate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in the detection of renal stones we performed a blind comparative study of ultrasonography and i.v. urography. In 92 kidneys with 58 stones, 10 stones smaller than 6 mm were overlooked by ultrasound, whereas all stones 6 mm or larger were correctly detected. In one case of uric acid stone disease i.v. urography was inconclusive in determining the true nature of a renal pelvic filling defect, whereas ultrasound correctly diagnosed a stone. We conclude that ultrasonography has a place in diagnosis and control of renal stones.