Detection of Therapeutically Relevant Diagnoses Made by Sonography of the Upper Abdomen: Portable Versus High-end Sonographic Units - A Prospective Study

Abstract

As expected, the high-end unit is markedly superior to the portable sonographic unit, especially for clinical questions requiring a high physical resolution, as needed for gastrointestinal structures, biliary system and pancreas. The portable unit provided its best results for examinations of the pleura and for emergency examinations as long as the gastrointestinal tract is excluded. For the routine use of portable sonographic units, it is important to know the limitation of the particular unit.