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Rationale and Objectives: Diagnostic measures that can be used for sliding hiatal hernia are barium swallow radiography, endoscopy, manometry, and computed tomography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography for sliding hiatal hernias., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in the radiology department of a tertiary care center between May 2011 and May 2012. Twenty-one patients (10 females, 11 males) with sliding hiatal hernias and 41 controls (37 females, 4 males) were enrolled in this study. Esophageal hiatal diameters measured by ultrasonography and computerized tomography were compared. Correlation was tested via Pearson correlation analysis., Results: The average age of patients and controls were 58.6 and 40.1, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between esophageal hiatal diameters measured via ultrasonography in patients (31.7 mm) and controls (11.6 mm) (P < .001). Similarly, esophageal hiatal diameters measured via computed tomography in patients (31.4 mm) was statistically significantly higher than controls (11.5 mm) (P < .001). The average body mass index of patients (28.3) was higher than that of control group (P = .015). Ultrasonographic measurements were correlated well with tomographic results (P = .000, r = 0.995)., Conclusion: Ultrasonography seems to be a valuable, safe, and practical alternative that avoids the side effects of contrast agents in the diagnosis of sliding hiatal hernias. Overall, we suggest that inclusion of ultrasound in the initial diagnostic steps for patients with sliding hiatal hernias may reduce the requirement for more expensive procedures., (Copyright © 2013 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale and Objectives: The goal of this study is to emphasize the value of lesion-focused approach in ultrasonography (US)-guided solid liver lesion biopsies performed under our guidance., Materials and Methods: In our retrospective study, after the standard preparation for US-guidance solid liver lesion biopsy was accomplished, we performed standard intercostal approach and the biopsy procedure though one of our patients experienced a major complication (pneumothorax). After this undesirable case, we reviewed our biopsy procedure and performed a lesion-focused approach technique as described in this article. A Tru-cut biopsy gun (18 gauge) was used in this trial. The liver biopsies were divided into two groups according to the biopsy technique and all results were compared with each other., Results: A total of 202 solid liver lesion biopsies were was performed under the guidance of US between October 2007 and July 2010. One major complication occurred in first group. All of the minor complications occurred in the first group. In group 2, there were no complications. For this reason, all patients in group 2 were discharged home after a few hours. Patients with minor complications in the first group were observed an average of 6 hours. Adequate tissue for pathological diagnosis was similar in both groups., Conclusion: The lesion-focused approach technique has the potential to reduce both complication rates and patient incompliance. Percutaneous liver biopsies performed with this technique using real-time US guidance are convincing and clinically beneficial., (Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)