Percutaneous biopsy with sonographic guidance can be used safely and efficiently to diagnose digestive tract lesions that can be visualized on sonography and are not accessible endoscopically.

(a) The type of signal (arterial or venous) and its distribution detected by color and pulsed Doppler is more helpful than the assessment of the spectral quantitative parameters obtained by pulsed Doppler. (b) The presence of intratumoral venous flow remarkably suggests benignancy. (c) The presence of both intra- and peritumoral arterial flow in the same lesion strongly suggests malignancy.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an unusual disorder that is characterized by diffuse or scattered eosinophilic infiltration of the digestive tract. The diagnosis is based on histology obtained by capsule, endoscopic, laparoscopic, or laparotomy biopsy. The eosinophilic infiltration produces thickening of the small bowel wall that can be observed by using sonography. The appearance produces the pseudokidney sign that can be used to guide biopsy. We report the first case of EG diagnosed by percutaneous biopsy under ultrasound guidance.

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Percutaneous drainage of infected intraabdominal hematomas has often been contraindicated due to its greater number of complications. The results of percutaneous drainage of infected localized hematomas in five cases are described, two in the lesser sac and three in the right subphrenic space. The catheter size ranged from 8.4 to 24 French. Mean maintenance time of the drainage was 37 days. Drainage tube obstruction occurred in three patients, in two of whom the drainage tube had to be changed for one with a broader gauge. Hematomas were completely resolved in all the cases. We describe our experience with one patient in whom we used intracavitary urokinase who showed successful results. Percutaneous drainage is not contraindicated in the management of infected hematomas, although the drainage tube must be closely controlled; drainage time may be longer than in other types of abscesses.