Abdominal Ultrasonography in Diabetics -A Comparison of Ultrasonographic Findings in Diabetic and Healthy Adults-
The abdominal ultrasonographic findings of 100 diabetics underwent examination at the Kurashiki Station Clinic of Kawasaki Medical School were compared with those of 69 healthy adults (controls) 40 years of age or older. Fatty liver was the most common observation in these patients, with no significant difference between the diabetics and controls. Findings suggesting splenomegaly, gallstones, and liver cirrhosis were significantly more common in the diabetics, and the liver, and spleen showed significantly more abnormal findings. These results indicate that diabetics frequently suffer from hepatic diseases and gallstones. Abdominal ultrasonography should therefore be conducted at least once a year to detect potential complications even in symptom-free diabetics ― particularly, every three months for those with chronic hepatic diseases.
