[Use of chest radiography in mass liver surveys with reference to significance of right-hand diaphragm elevation levels].

For early detection of liver disease, mass surveys are essential, however conduction of a great variety of liver function tests on a large group of people often is too complicated and difficult. With a view to establishing a simple, appropriate procedure for mass liver surveys, simultaneously with liver function tests, a check on right-hand diaphragm elevation levels as seen in the chest X-ray con ventionally used in mass chest surveys has been carried out. A total of 656 cases were dealt with herein. Results, revealed that liver function test anomalies are more numerously discovered among those showing above-average right-hand diaphragm elevation levels. A significant correlation was found especially between transaminase levels and the diaphragm level. Also, high diaphragm levels have been noted more frequently in those suffering from hepatic diseases, especially hepatic carcinoma, cirrhosis, and abscess. Such cases having high diaphragm levels, moreover, tend to be associated with amebae in feces tests or in colic biopsy. The presence of transaminase, in particular often indicates hepatocyte disorders, such as hepatic carcinoma and cirrhosis, and consequently is a useful means of diagnosing these diseases. Results of the present study indicate that examination of right-hand diaphragm elevation levels as seen in chest X-rays may be carried out as an effective means of diagnosing hepatic disorders in mass liver surveys.