Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU
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In order to examine the liver during thoracotomy, a new intraoperative imaging technique called "transdiaphragmatic liver scanning" was developed. Transdiaphragmatic scanning performed with high-frequency transducers provided clear visualization of the entire liver from the thoracic cavity through the diaphragm. ⋯ In 3 operations, preoperatively suspected liver metastases were excluded by transdiaphragmatic scanning. Because transdiaphragmatic scanning provides high-resolution images of the liver and is the only method capable of examining the liver during thoracotomy, this intraoperative scanning technique may become a useful tool in the evaluation of liver metastases from thoracic or mediastinal malignancies.