[Typical sonographic findings in hemihepatectomized or partially hepatectomized patients]

The frequency of postoperative complications following immediately and at intervals after hepatic surgery, is evaluated by ultrasonography in 29 patients. In addition, the following sonographic findings--not mentioned upto now in literature--are pointed out: Enlargement of the typical cross-section of the vena cava and especially pseudotumorous vault of the parenchyma of the liver versus lumen of the vena cava; the latter may produce difficulties in discriminating local relapses in paracaval liver segments. Sclerosis of great liver veins with wall-like echoes in portal veins. After right hemihepatectomy, the portal vein could be identified by ultrasonography in only 50% of the cases. Transient oedema of the gallbladder wall and periportal fields. Tortuosity of intrahepatic vessels in the immediate postoperative course; especially after resection of great tumours of more than 7.5 cm diameter.