[Fungal lesions of the organs of the upper abdomen].

The authors report on 14 cases of fungal parenchymal infections of the abdomen detected with CT and/or US in immunodepressed patients. Image patterns and the capabilities of the two diagnostic techniques are analyzed in the early detection of fungal lesions. CT was the first-choice examination, followed by US, in 9 patients; laboratory tests followed in 3 cases; US was performed first (and CT second) in 1 patient; finally, US alone was performed in 1 patient. The information yielded by CT and that given by US overlapped in 8/9 cases: in the extant patient, US demonstrated multiple fungal microabscesses of liver, while CT was negative, probably due to low liver density. CT patterns were multiple, small and round nonenhanced areas. Since the indiscriminate administration of intravenous contrast medium is unsuitable, CT cannot be performed first. On the other hand, in several patients liver CT with no contrast medium gave the same results for venous and fungal lesions. Compared with CT, US is a safer technique which is easier to perform and to evaluate. Therefore, US should be the exam of choice in immunodepressed patients with suspected fungal lesions. US is likely to demonstrate, in most cases, a pathologic condition (fungal microabscesses) as well as vascular and biliary anatomy.