High-resolution Real-time Sonography Research Articles

Real-time sonography in the diagnosis of neck cysts

The diagnostic possibility of high resolution real time sonography has been investigated in 31 patients with cysts in the neck. The method is of special value preoperatively by demonstrating neighbouring structures, such as the parotid and thyroid glands and the major vessels in the neck; it contributes to differential diagnosis and surgical planning. Lateral cysts, because of their contents, may be highly echogenic and may be difficult to distinguish from lymphomas. The differential diagnosis of various cysts in the neck is discussed. An important aspect of sonography of the neck is the experience of the operator and his detailed knowledge of the local anatomy.

Sonographic diagnosis of Klatskin tumors.

The sonograms of 14 patients with pathologically proven Klatskin tumors presenting between 1974 and 1985 were reviewed. All 14 patients demonstrated dilated intrahepatic bile ducts with a normal-sized extrahepatic biliary tree. In seven patients this was the only finding. The other seven patients demonstrated one or more additional abnormalities. These included an apparent intraductal mass at the confluence of the right and left intrahepatic ducts (four patients), enlarged portal lymph nodes (two patients), and hepatic metastases (one patient). With one exception, these additional findings were seen only in patients scanned after 1980, that is, using real-time sonography and up-to-date scanners. The presence of dilated intrahepatic ducts in a patient with a normal extrahepatic biliary tree should raise the possibility of Klatskin tumor. With high-resolution real-time sonography, further evidence suggestive of malignancy can be demonstrated in at least 50% of patients.

High Resolution Real-Time Ultrasonography in the Localization of the Undescended Testis

In a prospective study ultrasound was compared to palpation in 41 instances in which a testis was not present in the scrotum. A testis was palpable in 20 of these instances and not palpated in 21. Of 20 palpable undescended testes 14 (70 per cent) were identified by ultrasound. Of the 21 instances in which a testis was not palpated 3 intra-abdominal and 5 inguinal testes were identified at exploration. One of these organs (an inguinal testis) was identified by ultrasound. Two false positive sonograms in which a gubernacular structure mimicked an undescended testis occurred. Sonography cannot satisfactorily stand alone as a screening modality in the management of the undescended testis.

High resolution sonography of the menisci of the knee.

High-resolution real-time ultrasonography (5, 7.5, and 10 MHz) was used to examine the menisci of the knee in ten normal volunteers and in ten patients with knee injuries. The posterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci were easily demonstrated. Normal anatomy and pathologic changes could be imaged in the menisci, capsular ligaments, and articular cartilage. While the menisci were seen in all subjects, the weight-bearing portion of the femoral articular cartilage could not be seen in several of the symptomatic patients who could not flex their knees. Ultrasound promises to be a useful, noninvasive adjunct to conventional techniques in evaluating the injured knee--especially in assessing the posterior horns of the menisci, an area difficult to assess with arthroscopy.

Sonography of the postoperative rotator cuff.

In experienced hands, high-resolution real-time sonography has been shown to be an accurate noninvasive method for diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. The sonographic appearance of the postoperative rotator cuff has not been previously reported. Forty postoperative patients were studied sonographically 1 week to 6 years after rotator cuff repair. The postoperative rotator cuff is abnormally echogenic and can be very similar in appearance to a small rotator cuff tear in a nonoperated patient. Soft-tissue planes about the tendon are distorted or absent. Criteria for diagnosis of retear must be different from those used in detecting new tears in a nonoperated cuff. Postoperative echogenicity is normal, but the finding of a defect or gap within the rotator cuff tendon is the only accurate sign of a recurrent rotator cuff tear.

High-resolution real-time sonography of the adrenal glands: a routine examination?

The feasibility of imaging the adrenal glands during routine upper abdominal examinations was studied for 100 consecutive patients, 47 males and 53 females. The mean patient age was 46 years and the mean weight 63 kg. The suprarenal areas were scanned in a slightly oblique frontal plane through the intercostal spaces with the patient recumbent. The right adrenal gland was detected in 92 per cent of the patients, with a mean examination time of less than one minute. Visualization of the left adrenal gland was more difficult and was successful in only 71 per cent, even where additional views in the right lateral decubitus or erect position were added. The mean examination time on the left was 2 1/2 minutes. Complete visualization of the adrenal gland is impossible in one single plane because of the complex shape of the organ, which necessitates multiple contiguous scan planes. In 13 per cent of the visualized adrenals, cortex and medulla could be differentiated.

Value of high resolution real-time ultrasonography in secondary hyperparathyroidism

Thirty-two patients were treated surgically for symptomatic secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism, and 27 of these patients had high resolution (10 mHz) real-time ultrasonography before parathyroidectomy. This preoperative localization study identified one or more enlarged hyperplastic parathyroid glands in all but one patient who had not had a previous parathyroid operation, and in five of six patients who did have previous parathyroid operations. In both of the patients in whom no parathyroid glands were identified by ultrasonography the only abnormal enlarged parathyroid glands were those situated within the superior mediastinum. When large glands are not observed by ultrasonography in patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, the glands are usually situated in the superior mediastinum, behind the trachea or esophagus, or deeply within the neck. The size of the parathyroid glands correlated positively with the serum parathyroid hormone level and with the severity of the secondary hyperparathyroidism. Thus, the preoperative identification of parathyroid glands by ultrasonography not only localizes the site of most hyperplastic parathyroid glands (70 percent of patients), but also detects those patients who have enlarged parathyroid glands, elevated serum parathyroid hormone levels, and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. These are the patients who are thus unlikely to respond to further medical therapy.

Status of penis sonography in andrology

Good visualization of the anatomic structures of the penis can be achieved by application of high-resolution real-time sonography and a water path. Penis sonography is painless, free of risk and easy to perform. It is ideal for documentation and assessment of pathological alterations of the penis. 80 patients with penile deviation were examined sonographically. In cases of Peyronie's disease, the most frequent clinical picture, it is possible to achieve good localization and measurement of the fibrotic plaques in the area of the tunica albuginea. Calcifications can be clearly detected. In cases of penile deviation associated with the urethral manipulation syndrome, no fibroses are seen in the corpus spongiosum. In 3 patients with erectile impotence after priapism, sonography permitted precise determination of the extent of fibrosis formation in the corpora cavernosa.

Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasonography

The introduction of high-resolution real-time small-parts sonography has made imaging the superficial structures of the neck a practical procedure. This article reviews the normal anatomy of the neck as well as the benign and malignant diseases affecting the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

High-resolution Real-time Sonography: The Study of Superficial Body Parts

High-resolution real-time scanning such as described in this article remains limited to the very superficial areas of the body. This article has been designed to give the reader an up-to-date glimpse of the minute world of small parts scanning and aid the clinician in the optimal use of this noninvasive modality.

COMPARISON OF HIGH RESOLUTION REAL TIME ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND HIGH RESOLUTION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN AN INFANT WITH SPINAL DYSRAPHISM

An infant with a lumbosacral spinal subcutaneous and intraspinal lipoma involving the conus medullaris was studied with computed tomography and high resolution real time ultrasonography to determine the extent and location of the disease before operation. The high resolution ultrasonogram demonstrated the abnormality with good detail and the added advantage of real time display of the lack of pulsatile mobility of the neural elements, confirming spinal cord tethering. Spinal high resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool in infants with spinal abnormalities and should be an important part of a neurosurgeon's diagnostic support system.

Sonographic recognition of multiple cystic encephalomalacia

Multiple cysts in both hemispheres were detected in four children under 1 year of age by real-time sonographic sector scanning. These cysts, typical of multiple cystic encephalomalacia, followed viral encephalitis in two, bacterial meningitis in one, and bacterial meningitis superimposed on intracerebral hemorrhage in one. The diagnosis of multiple cystic encephalomalacia, which has a grave prognosis, is readily made with high-resolution real-time sonography.

Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis and Staging of Blunt Scrotal Trauma

Of 19 patients with blunt testicular trauma diagnosed and staged correctly by physical examination and ultrasonography 10 were explored surgically and 9 were managed nonoperatively (treatment was supported by ultrasonography). Fractured testicles occurred in 5 of the 10 explored patients and were repaired surgically, and in 2 of the 9 conservatively managed patients. These 2 patients refused an operation.Ultrasonography can show disruption of the testicle as evidenced by intratesticular lucencies representing hematoma, extruded testicular parenchyma or a fragmented testicle. The tunica albuginea is too thin to be defined consistently and, thus, it could not be used as a parameter for disruption in the 10 patients who were explored surgically.Ultrasonography used in conjunction with a thorough physical examination is highly accurate, readily available, noninvasive and gives minimal discomfort. This modality can be used to follow nonoperative scrotal injury to resolution. With the availability of high resolution real-time ultrasonography more rapid and reliable screening of the scrotum is possible.

The tethered spinal cord: diagnosis by high-resolution real-time ultrasound.

High-resolution real-time ultrasonography of the lumbosacral spine was performed in 10 control patients and in six patients with suspected spinal dysraphism. The spinal cord was readily visualized in both groups. Lack of ossification of the posterior arch of the spine in normal infants and the presence of a bony defect in patients with spina bifida permit sonographic investigation of the spinal canal and its contents. It is concluded that the diagnosis of spinal cord tethering can be established rapidly by high-resolution real-time ultrasonography, which may be used in screening patients with suspected occult spinal dysraphism.

Comparison of High Resolution Real Time Ultrasonography and High Resolution Computed Tomography in an Infant with Spinal Dysraphism

An infant with a lumbosacral spinal subcutaneous and intraspinal lipoma involving the conus medullaris was studied with computed tomography and high resolution real time ultrasonography to determine the extent and location of the disease before operation. The high resolution ultrasonogram demonstrated the abnormality with good detail and the added advantage of real time display of the lack of pulsatile mobility of the neural elements, confirming spinal cord tethering. Spinal high resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool in infants with spinal abnormalities and should be an important part of a neurosurgeon's diagnostic support system.

Comparison of high resolution real time ultrasonography and high resolution computed tomography in an infant with spinal dysraphism

An infant with a lumbosacral spinal subcutaneous and intraspinal lipoma involving the conus medullaris was studied with computed tomography and high resolution real time ultrasonography to determine the extent and location of the disease before operation. The high resolution ultrasonogram demonstrated the abnormality with good detail and the added advantage of real time display of the lack of pulsatile mobility of the neural elements, confirming spinal cord tethering. Spinal high resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool in infants with spinal abnormalities and should be an important part of a neurosurgeon's diagnostic support system. (Neurosurgery 13:301-305, 1983)

Imaging ultrasound in the intraoperative diagnosis of vascular defects.

High-resolution real-time ultrasonography was employed during 267 vascular operations in order to diagnose vascular defects such as intimal flaps, strictures, and thrombi. These defects occur at operative areas (e.g., anastomoses, endarterectomized segments, and sites of placement of occlusive clamps) and can lead to serious thrombotic complications in the early post-operative period. Ultrasound detected vascular defects in 83 patients (31.1 per cent). The defects in 59 patients were considered clinically insignificant because of their sizes and locations, and were not re-explored. Early post-operative results of these patients were comparable to those of the patients without demonstrated defects. In 24 patients (9.0 per cent of all patients examined), ultrasonography revealed clinically significant defects which prompted re-exploration. In 20 of these 24 patients, these vascular defects were confirmed and corrected. No defect was found at re-exploration in four patients, but two of them developed early postoperative thrombosis. Ultrasonography and arteriography were compared at 100 operative sites. The two imaging methods were equal in terms of sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and predictability of a negative test. Predictability of a positive test was 77.8 per cent for ultrasonography and 59.1 per cent for arteriography. This indicates that fewer needless re-explorations would occur following a decision based on ultrasonography. Operative ultrasonography is a simple, safe and accurate technique that should be applied to reconstructive vascular surgery for diagnosis of vascular defects.

High-resolution real-time sonography of the thyroid.

High-resolution real-time sonography of the thyroid.

High-resolution parathyroid sonography.

A total of 165 consecutive patients with suspected primary hyperparthyroidism was scanned preoperatively using high-resolution real-time sonography. The sensitivity of the procedure was 69% and the specificity 94% in the localization of individually enlarged parathyroid glands. In the subgroup of 21 patients undergoing reoperation in the neck, the sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 92%, respectively. In patients with a single parathyroid adenoma, there was a close but not linear correlation between sonographic diagnostic accuracy and the size of the adenoma, which in turn was directly related to the serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels. High-resolution sonography has become the procedure of choice in our institution for the preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid glands in the neck.

High-resolution real-time sonography of fetal cardiovascular anatomy.

With high-resolution real-time sonography it is possible to visualize normal fetal cardiovascular structures in a high percentage of second- and third-trimester pregnancies. At present the optimal view for cardiac visualization is the four-chamber view, which affords simultaneous imaging of the atria, ventricles, and atrioventricular and interventricular septa. The fetal aortic arch can be readily demonstrated in most patients. The most significant factor limiting cardiac examination is fetal position, since it is extremely difficult to scan prone fetuses. High-resolution real-time sonography has the potential to permit in utero diagnosis of major structural cardiac anomalies and should become part of the routine ultrasound screening for congenital anomalies.