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Sonography is the primary diagnostic method in the painful left lower quadrant. Experienced investigators can diagnose an acute diverticulitis in more than 90%. In unclear cases or when complications are suspected, CT should be performed. Sonography can diagnose most differential diagnosis of the painful left lower quadrant as colitis, appenagitis or haematomas.
Today sonography is the first line imaging method for diagnosing acute appendicitis. Experienced investigators will have an accuracy of more than 90%. Sonography can diagnose many conservatively managed diseases. The most important differential diagnoses are infectious ileocoecitis, right sided diverticulitis, appendagitis, adnexitis, ruptured or torque ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies. Ureterolithiasis, cholecystitis, haematomas in the psoas muscle or in the rectus muscle are rarer causes of right lower quadrant pain. Sonography can reduce the high rate of false positive clinical examinations concerning acute appendicitis. It has to be stated that an exclusion of appendicitis can only be made sonographically if the normal appendix can be seen in its full length and/or an other differential diagnosis can be depicted that explains the clinical symptoms. Mucoceles are rare cystoid lesions of the appendix. They exhibit a typical onion skin sign structure caused by different mucus viscosities. In large mucoceles a tumor causes this lesion.
AIM: To evaluate axillary sentinel lymph-node (SLN) identification and localisation with gamma probe-assisted sonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprises 42 patients. Sonographically guided peri-lesional injection of the radiopharmacon was performed on 40 breasts. Two patients with melanoma of the upper extremity underwent intracutaneous injection. After the acquisition of images with the gamma camera, the delineated lymph nodes were marked on the skin. A high-frequency transducer with an adapted gamma probe was then used to identify the SLN. Before surgery, the SLN was localised with a hook-wire. Node activity was controlled intraoperatively. RESULTS: In two out of 42 cases, lymphatic mapping did not reveal SLNs. Multiple SLNs at different sites, all with similar activity, were demonstrated in one patient, while in another patient the sonographically visible lymph nodes were too small for exact correlation. Hook-wire localisation of the SLN was performed in the remaining 38 axillary spaces. Gamma probe-assisted sonography allowed for correct localisation of SLNs in 35/38 patients (92 %). Localisation was not correct in 3 patients (8 %), but in all cases the hook-wire was located next to the SLN. CONCLUSION: Preoperative identification and correct localisation of the SLN is possible in a high percentage of cases. This method allows rapid intraoperative detection of the SLN and could be used for exact correlation of sonographic appearance and histopathological results.
For many clinical conditions, sonography is the first line imaging modality in the evaluation of cervical soft tissue lesions. Cervical cysts, lipomas, paragangliomas, neurogenic tumours, haemangiomas or lymphangiomas usually display a typical sonographic morphology. Sonography can be used for evaluation of soft tissue lesions and cervical lymph node assessment. Most of the afflictions of the salivary glands can be diagnosed sonographically. Sonography is also used for guided biopsy of lymph nodes, cervical soft tissue tumours or salivary gland lesions. The relationship of tumours or lymph nodes to the great cervical vessels can be evaluated. Colour Doppler can visualise the vascularisation of cervical soft tissue lesions, often narrowing down the differential diagnosis.
Acute left lower quadrant pain is frequently caused by diverticulitis, especially in elderly patients. The most common differential diagnoses include renal colic, urinary tract infection, gynaecologic disorders, epiploic appendicitis, perforated carcinoma, other inflammatory diseases of the colon and diseases of the abdominal wall. Because the clinical impression may lead to a false diagnosis, further evaluation is necessary. Imaging methods are used to establish a correct diagnosis and to differentiate between benign self-limited disorders and those which require immediate intervention. Sonography and CT are the imaging methods of choice for the examination of patients with left lower quadrant pain. Both methods have shown to be accurate in verifying diverticulitis as well as in establishing alternative diagnoses. This review reports the sonographic appearance of the different entities and refers to other imaging methods if necessary.
Up to 3% of all parotid tumours are lipomas. Parotid lipomas can be diagnosed almost specifically by imaging as US, CT, MRI. On ultrasound parotid lipomas are ovoid, hypoechogenic lesions with typical feathered structure. Colour Doppler sonography did not detect any signals in the tumour. CT enables the definite diagnosis by measurement of density values equivalent to fat.
Detection and characterization of focal liver lesions are critical for patients with liver cirrhosis. The potential of contrast-enhanced sonography in the characterization of focal liver lesions is well established in the literature. However, prospective studies in the assessment of patients with suspected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis are rare. B-mode imaging often cannot differentiate small focal lesions in cirrhotic livers. Also, power Doppler is not capable of characterizing small focal lesions in cirrhosis. Contrast-enhanced sonography with a first-generation enhancer seems to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of small HCC. The differentiation of HCC and dysplastic nodules is notoriously difficult. In addition, other arterial hypervascularized liver lesions should be considered, depending on the clinical background. The limitations and drawbacks of contrast-enhanced sonography should be considered. All imaging methods are of limited value in the detection of solid liver lesions smaller than 1 cm.
Due to their superficial position, the parotid, the submandibular, and the sublingual glands can be imaged with high-resolution transducers. In acute inflammatory diseases sonography can differentiate between obstructive or non-obstructive sialoadenitis. Abscess formations may be detected and the maturation of the colliquation may be controlled. Abscesses may be punctured under US guidance. In Sjögren's syndrome the sonographic changes correlate with the histological destruction, and in acute forms hypervascularization is found in color Doppler. In fibrotic cases the stimulation-induced hyperemia is impaired. In sialoadenosis inflammatory and tumorous lesions can be ruled out by sonography. Tumors of the salivary glands can be visualized with high sensitivity. Like other imaging methods the specificity in assessment of the histology of a tumor is low. Multilocular lesions, such as sarcoidosis, lymphoma, metastases, or cystadenolymphoma, are discussed. In deep located, malignant tumors or when the tumor cannot be delineated completely, MR or CT are obligatory to delineate the tumor. Sonography enables the diagnosis of cysts or ranulae. The accuracy of sonography in assessment of sialolithiasis is approximately 90%. Non-opaque stones can be visualized, too; however, small stones of less than 2 mm are difficult to detect since the posterior shadow may be missing. The concrements can be differentiated into intraductal or intraglandular stones. Indirect signs, such as ductal dilatations or inflammatory changes, may be found. Pseudotumorous lesions, such as hypertrophy of the masseter muscle, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or lymphoepithelial lesions in AIDS, are discussed. In children the main differential diagnosis of salivary gland pathologies are addressed. In many diseases sonography is the first-line imaging modality in assessment of salivary glands.
AIM: To investigate the ability of sonography to diagnose diverticulosis and to demonstrate the typical appearance of normal diverticula. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients underwent sonography for prospective evaluation of the presence of diverticulosis of the left hemicolon. Diverticula were assessed for number, diameter, echogenicity, and wall thickness. Sonographic results were compared with those of endoscopy. RESULTS: Sonography yielded positive results in 28/33 patients (85 %) with endoscopically proven diverticulosis. Sonography on average could demonstrate less diverticula per patient than endoscopy. Two sonographic results were false positive. Diverticula had a maximum average diameter of 8.7 mm and the diverticular wall measured 1 mm at most. In many cases the diverticular wall could not be demonstrated by sonography. All diverticula except for one were hyperechoic. In 39 % of patients with diverticulosis one or more diverticula showed clear acoustic shadowing indicative of a faecalith. The maximum diameter of the colonic wall was 3.3 mm on average. Sonography could demonstrate the descending colon in all cases. The sigmoid colon was not visible in 3 cases and could rarely be evaluated in its entire length. CONCLUSION: Sonography can diagnose diverticulosis of the left hemicolon in most cases. Normal diverticula present as hyperechoic protuberances of the colonic wall with acoustic shadowing of varying intensity. The diverticular wall is thin and often not demonstrable at sonography.
AIM: To investigate the sonographic signs of epiploic appendagitis in a larger number of patients and to add new details. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of approximately 8 years 28 patients were sonographically diagnosed to have epiploic appendagitis. The following sonographic signs were investigated: echogenicity of the lesion; compressibility; shape of the lesion; adherence to the anterior abdominal wall; peripheral rim; central hypoechoic line; thickening of the colonic wall. In 11 of these patients colour Doppler sonography was performed. In addition all 28 patients underwent CT. RESULTS: In 28/28 cases (100 %) a moderately hyperechoic, ovoid, non-compressible mass adjacent to the colon was demonstrated. The mass was surrounded by a hypoechoic rim in 20 cases (71 %) and was fixed to the abdominal wall in 26/28 cases (93 %). Five cases (18 %) revealed a central hypoechoic line, and slight thickening of the colonic wall was visible in 2 cases (7 %). In those cases where colour Doppler sonography was performed, colour flow was absent in the central part of the lesion. In the peripheral zone slightly increased colour flow was demonstrable in 9/11 cases. CONCLUSION: Epiploic appendagitis has a characteristic sonographic appearance with a moderately hyperechoic, ovoid, non-compressible lesion adjacent to the colon and adherent to the abdominal wall. The mass is frequently surrounded by a hypoechoic rim. Colour Doppler sonography shows a central avascular area and slightly increased colour flow in the peripheral zone.
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Acute bowel inflammation frequently originates from thin-walled diverticula of the colon. Not the presence of diverticula, but the demonstration of an inflamed diverticulum, is diagnostic of diverticulitis in cases of bowel wall thickening and pericolic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the sonographic appearance and detectability of inflamed diverticula. One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with clinically suspected diverticulitis underwent sonographic examination. Outpouchings from the colonic wall centred in the pericolic inflammation were considered inflamed diverticula. Depending on the sonographic appearance they were divided into four groups: hypoechoic; predominantly hyperechoic; hyperechoic with surrounding hypoechoic rim; and hyperechoic with acoustic shadowing. Sonography showed inflamed diverticula in 79 (77%) of 102 patients with diverticulitis. Inflamed diverticula were hypoechoic in 37%, predominantly hyperechoic in 4%, hyperechoic with surrounding hypoechoic rim in 41% and hyperechoic with acoustic shadowing in 18% of patients. In 23 (23%) of 102 patients no inflamed diverticulum was demonstrable. This group included 17 patients with complicated diverticulitis and 6 false-negative cases. An inflamed diverticulum as a sign of diverticulitis yielded an overall sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 99%. Sensitivity in uncomplicated disease was 96%. In patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis an inflamed diverticulum is a sign of diverticulitis with excellent sensitivity and specificity, usually with solitary and less frequently with more than one inflamed diverticulum being demonstrable. In patients with complicated diverticulitis an inflamed diverticulum is often not detectable.
The purpose of this study was to examine if suture granulomas display distinct sonographic signs and if these signs enable an accurate preoperative diagnosis. In a retrospective and prospective study, the sonographic findings of 22 consecutive suture granulomas were investigated and correlated with subsequent operative results. The sonographic appearance of various surgical sutures in a water bath was also investigated. Sonography was performed with commercially available 5- to 13-MHz linear transducers. The sonographic findings of the suture granulomas included hypoechoic lesions in all cases and hyperechoic double or single lines within the hypoechoic lesions in 20 of 22 cases. Sonography enabled the correct preoperative diagnosis for the investigating radiologists in 20 cases. The sonographic appearance of sutures in a water bath was that of hyperechoic double or single lines. The sonographic signs of suture granulomas (hyperechoic double or single lines within hypoechoic lesions) indicate the correct preoperative diagnosis in a high percentage of cases.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness and limitations of the outer diameter of the vermiform appendix at cross-sectional ultrasonography to confirm or rule out acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, outer appendiceal diameters in 240 control subjects and in 278 patients suspected of having acute appendicitis who did (n = 98) or did not (n = 180) have acute appendicitis were measured. RESULTS: Outer appendiceal diameters in the control subjects ranged between 2 and 13 mm, and in 55 (23%) of 240 control subjects, diameters were 6 mm or more. Diameters in the symptomatic patients without acute appendicitis ranged between 2 and 11 mm, and 57 (32%) of 180 patients had diameters of 6 mm or more. Diameters of acutely inflamed appendices ranged between 6 and 30 mm. A diameter of 6 mm or more confirmed acute appendicitis with a sensitivity of 100%; a specificity of 68%; positive and negative predictive values of 63% and 100%, respectively; and an accuracy of 79%. CONCLUSION: The outer appendiceal diameter of 6 mm or more as a sign of acute appendicitis provides high sensitivity but limited specificity. This diagnostic criterion is more useful in excluding acute appendicitis than in confirming it.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine with sonography whether distinct cross-sectional imaging signs exist that may differentiate between incarcerated and nonincarcerated abdominal wall hernias. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sonographic appearance of 149 consecutive abdominal wall hernias was prospectively investigated and correlated with subsequent surgical results. Commercially available 4- to 10-MHz linear transducers and 2- to 5-MHz curved transducers were used to evaluate the hernias. RESULTS: Surgery revealed 126 nonincarcerated and 23 incarcerated hernias. The sonographic signs suggestive of incarceration that we identified included free fluid in the hernia sac, which was observed in 91% of the incarcerated hernias and in 3% of the nonincarcerated hernias; bowel wall thickening in the hernia, which was detected in 88% of the incarcerated hernias and in none of the nonincarcerated hernias; fluid in the herniated bowel loop, which was detected in 82% of the incarcerated hernias and in 3% of the nonincarcerated hernias; and dilated bowel loops in the abdomen, which occurred in 65% of the incarcerated hernias and in none of the nonincarcerated hernias. These imaging findings allowed the identification of incarceration in all 23 cases and led to a false-positive result in two of 126 nonincarcerated hernias. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectional imaging signs indicating hernial incarceration included free fluid in the hernial sac, bowel wall thickening in the hernia, fluid in the herniated bowel loop, and dilated bowel loops in the abdomen. Sonography is an appropriate cross-sectional imaging modality for detecting these signs that are helpful in diagnosing patients with atypical clinical presentations.
Sonography, when performed by an experienced examiner, can be used for evaluation of many pathologies in the head and neck area. Some benign neck lesions, such as cysts, lipomas, carotid body tumors, and hyperplastic lymph nodes, have typical sonomorphology. Sonography has an accuracy rate of about 90% in cervical lymph node staging and can delineate subclinical lymph node recurrences. It is the method of choice for evaluation of tumor infiltrations of the wall of the great vessels. Salivary gland tumors in the superficial lobe can be delineated completely by sonography. Salivary stones can be detected and localized. Carcinoma of the tongue and floor of the mouth with T1 and T2 staging can be assessed by US. The use and contribution of color Doppler sonography for the assessment of pathologic entities in the neck is a method under clinical investigation. US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of lymph nodes and tumors of the salivary glands is easy to perform and is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity. To perform US examinations of the head and neck area of the highest quality the examiner should be familiar with the anatomy of the head and neck, be informed about the clinical problem, and have experience in the interpretation of abnormal US findings. US of the head and neck area is one of the most difficult sonographic examinations and should be performed by an experienced physician.
Sonography is the first line modality for assessment of thyroid and parathyroid pathologies. Sonographic and color Doppler patterns of diffuse and focal pathologies of the thyroid are presented in this article. The accuracy of sonography in the localization of enlarged parathyroid glands is also discussed. The limitations of sonography in specifying focal thyroid diseases and the problems in localizing ectopic parathyroid adenoma are addressed.
AIM: To determine the frequency of deep vein thrombosis in the veins of the calf muscles. The risk of embolism in relation to the localisation of thrombosis was also evaluated. METHOD: 357 consecutive patients submitted for colour Doppler sonography of the lower extremities were prospectively examined for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Both axial and muscular calf veins were investigated. 184 of these patients underwent additional investigation for pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: Diagnosis of DVT was made by means of colour Doppler sonography in 179 patients. Soleal veins (n = 88), peroneal veins (n = 84), the popliteal vein (n = 69), and the superficial femoral vein (n = 53) were the most common sites of thrombosis. Thrombosis of the gastrocnemial veins (n = 49) occurred less frequently. 85 patients (47% of all patients having DVT) showed isolated calf vein thrombosis, in 45 patients (25%) the gastrocnemial and/or soleal veins were the only site of thrombosis. 60% of patients with symptomatic DVT also had pulmonary embolism. The embolic frequency for isolated calf vein thrombosis and muscular calf vein thrombosis was 48% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The veins of the calf muscles are a common site of acute DVT and a source of pulmonary embolism. They should always be investigated in patients with suspected DVT of the calf, and in patients with pulmonary embolism.