1984 Volume 26 Issue 12 Pages 2379-2387
We have examined 196 patients (234 diseases) employing an ultrasonic laparoscope (US-laparoscope), which was designed and developed by Aloca Co. and Olympus Optical Co.. The results were compared with those of ordinary ultrasonography (US). US-laparoscopy was proved to be superior to US in the following points. With regard to the liver 1) subphrenic potion and subcostal portion were scanned without any obstacle, 2) even the smallest tumor in the liver was scanned, 3) detailed structure of the liver was visualized and 4) the portal vein, hepatic vein and bile duct were pursued to the full-end. With regard to the biliary tract 1) the gall bladder was scanned in every direction, 2) structure of the gall bladder wall depicted cleary, 3) small stones in the gall bladder, stones localized in the gall bladder wall and gall bladder polyps were visualized with detailed information, and 4) scanning rate of the neck of gall bladder and end of the cystic duct was higher. With regard to the pancreas 1) direct scanning was possible on pancreas, 2) the inner structure of pancreas was scanned, 3) the outline of pancreas was clearly depicted, 5) longitudinal as well as latitudinal scanning of pancreas was possible, 6) scanning rate of the tail of the pancreas was higher than US and 7) US-laparoscopy was more efficient for small abnormality and calcification than US.
