[Indication and efficiency of computer tomography in general and abdominal surgery]

The efficacy of computed tomography in abdominal surgery must be compared with that of ultrasonography, which is more easily available, less expensive, and entails no radioactive risk. Both methods show high rates of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the detection of parenchymatous lesions, tumors, local complications, tumor recurrences or metastases. Both can be combined with fine-needle biopsy. We think ultrasound scanning is more useful as a primary screening procedure and for follow-up studies, while CT gives a more detailed preoperative diagnosis, including tumor staging.