Hepatic Ultrasonography in the Terminally III Patient

Abstract

In 53 patients comparison was made between findings at autopsy and findings at ultrasound (US) examination performed shortly before death as the only morphologic diagnostic procedure of the liver during the patient's last year. US was found to be highly accurate. The non-invasiveness and the possibility of examining the patient in bed make US examination in experienced hands the ideal initial diagnostic procedure, especially in terminally ill patients.