False-Positive Gray-Scale Ultrasonography for Intra-abdominal Abscesses

• Two patients had convincing mass lesions demonstrated with gray-scale echography and strongly supporting clinical evidence for intra-abdominal abscesses. Neither patient had a lesion at the time of surgery. Although modern echography is an accurate diagnostic method for intra-abdominal abscess, falsepositive results can occur. ( Arch Surg 111:810-811, 1976)