IMAGING ABDOMINAL MASSES

Both radiography and ultrasound provide noninvasive imaging of suspect ed abdominal masses with minimal discomfort or risk for the geriatric patient. Radiography is more readily available and less expensive than ultrasonography, but contrast resolution is poor. Displacement of adj acent structures and addition of special contrast studies will provide clues to the possible organ of origin and extent of suspected abdomin al masses. Cystic lesions can be differentiated from solid masses with ultrasound, but the appearance of focal abnormalities is not specific for any one disease process. Abdominal ultrasonography often provides the best diagnostic yield when used in combination with radiography a nd image-guided biopsy techniques.