Sonography of ovarian fibromas/thecomas

The sonographic findings in 14 patients with ovarian fibromas/thecomas are described. A broad spectrum of sonographic features are presented and include hypoechoic mass with posterior shadowing (two cases); anechoic mass with good through transmission (with septations, two cases; without septations, four cases), echogenic mass with well-defined posterior wall (three cases); calcified mass (two cases); mixed echogenicity mass (one case). The pattern of a hypoechoic adnexal mass with acoustic shadowing should still suggest a fibroma/thecoma, but in most cases the appearance is nonspecific.     

Ultrasonographic examination on patients with chronic wrist pain: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of ultrasonographic examination in a series of patients with chronic wrist pain and to define the proportion of occult carpal ganglion in these patients. DESIGN: A retrospective study including 57 patients with wrist pain consecutively referred for sonographic examination. The inclusion criteria for this study were a history of wrist pain longer than 3 mos with no wrist trauma, and no palpable mass at the wrist. Ultrasound examination with a 10-MHz linear transducer was used to detect wrist pathology. A well-demarcated anechoic mass with posterior enhancement and without vascularity within the mass on sonography was defined as a ganglion cyst. RESULTS: Thirty-three of the 57 patients (58%) were diagnosed by sonographic examination as having a ganglion in the wrist joint. The size of the ganglion demonstrated on sonographic imaging ranged from 2 x 5 mm to 10 x 9 mm on a longitudinal scan of the wrist (with a mean of 4 x 7 mm.). Surgical excision was carried out in 12 patients who had ganglions diagnosed by sonographic examination; in all cases, the mucin content of the specimen was demonstrated. Eight patients underwent local aspiration followed by steroid injection under the guidance of ultrasound. The aspirated content was a jelly-like substance. In these 20 treated patients, symptoms of wrist pain improved after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of occult carpal ganglion is common in chronic wrist pain patients. High-resolution sonographic examination facilitates early detection of occult carpal ganglion.     

The spectrum of sonographic findings in endometriomas

The sonographic features of 40 pathologically proven endometriomas in 32 patients were reviewed to evaluate their sonographic spectrum. Acoustic enhancement was present in 88% and indeterminate in 10% due to technical factors. With respect to internal echo texture, the majority of endometriomas were predominantly anechoic (80%): 7 were totally anechoic; 4 contained septations; 12 contained scattered internal echoes, with or without septations; and 9 contained dependent echoes, with or without septations. Seven endometriomas contained diffuse, low-level internal echoes and were considered hypoechoic, but still fluid-containing masses. Only 1 was echogenic. The overall appearance frequently simulated that of hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, but in some cases endometriomas resembled tubo-ovarian abscess, cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma, or ectopic pregnancy.     

Sonographic Assessment of Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in Children

Objective. The purpose of this study was to clarify the sonographic features of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) in children. We also investigated how the presence of inflammation influences the sonographic appearance. Methods. We reviewed the sonograms from 36 children (0.5–14 years old) with pathologically proven TDCs. The lesions were evaluated for location, shape, internal echo pattern, internal septa, wall thickness, posterior enhancement, solid components, margins, and fistulas. The sonographic features of 7 lesions that pathologically showed inflammation were also investigated. Results. Most TDCs were midline (77.8%), were located at the hyoid bone (44.4%) or were infrahyoid (38.9%), showed posterior enhancement (77.8%), were unilocular (86.1%), lacked internal septa (91.7%), and had a thin wall (75%). None had a solid component. The internal echo patterns were classified into 4 types: anechoic (25%), homogeneously hypoechoic (16.7%), pseudosolid (16.7%), and heterogeneous (41.6%). Inflammation was confirmed in 78% of the lesions with wall thickening and 100% of the lesions with internal septa. Conclusions. Most TDCs in children had echogenicity ranging from hypoechoic to heterogeneous. A thick wall and internal septa were considered to correlate with the presence of inflammation but not with the internal echo patterns of TDCs.     

Relationship between sonographic and pathologic findings in epidermal inclusion cysts

PURPOSE: We evaluated the sonographic findings in epidermal inclusion cysts and related them to the pathologic findings. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the sonograms and pathology specimens of 24 patients with pathologically proven epidermal inclusion cysts. We evaluated the lesions for shape, size, internal echogenicity, posterior sound enhancement, and presence of color Doppler signals. We classified the masses into 5 sonographic types according to their internal echogenicity. The relationship between the sonographic types and the pathologic findings was examined. RESULTS: The masses were ovoid or spherical in 17 cases (71%), lobulated in 5 (21%), and tubular in 2 (8%). The longest diameter ranged from 1 to 6 cm (mean, 3.1 cm). Twenty-three cases (96%) were associated with posterior sound enhancement. Color Doppler signals were absent in 20 cases, but some vascularity was noted in 4 ruptured epidermal cysts, in areas of granulation tissue. The most common sonographic type was a hypoechoic lesion with scattered echogenic reflectors (10 cases). Sonographic findings were related to the lamellation of keratin debris and the granulation tissue secondary to rupture. Most cases with a lobulated configuration (4 of 5) or color Doppler signals (4 of 4) were ruptured cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Epidermal inclusion cysts most often appeared sonographically as a hypoechoic mass containing variable echogenic foci without color Doppler signals. Ruptured epidermal cysts, however, may have lobulated contours and show color Doppler signals, mimicking a solid mass.     

乳腺脂肪坏死的声像图特点

目的：探讨乳腺脂肪坏死的超声影像学特征。方法：对我院1994年4月至2001年12月间诊治的30例乳腺脂肪坏死超声影像特点进行回顾性分析，所有患者均经手术切除获得病理组织学诊断。结果：乳腺脂肪坏死的声像图表现分为：皮下型：9例（30％）位于皮下的脂肪组织呈增强的中等回声区。此型误诊率为33%(3/9)。腺体型：21例（70％）病变位于腺体内，声像图表现为：（1）62％（13／21）呈低回声，后方回声增强或无改变；（2）24％（5／21）呈无回声，后方回声增强；（3）5％（1／21）呈无回声，后方回声衰减；（4）5％（1／21）呈无回声，腔内壁呈高回声结节，后方回声增强；（5）5％（1／21）声像图正常。此型误诊率达76％（19／21）。结论：了解乳腺脂肪坏死的特征性声像图，对诊断此病具有重要价值。     

Metastatic tumors in the breast: sonographic findings

The sonographic findings observed in eight patients with metastatic tumors in the breast were reviewed. Solitary breast nodules were present in four patients; multiple metastases were seen in the other four patients, with bilateral lesions in two of them. A total number of 20 breast masses was appreciated. All lesions had a round or oval shape and hypoechoic, solid echopattern, when compared with the surrounding breast parenchyma. In three patients, they presented with many small medium-level internal echoes while, in the other five patients they were almost anechoic, with only a few low-level echoes within. Regular and well-defined margins were seen in four patients; in the remaining four patients, irregular walls were seen. The posterior walls of the lesions were well defined, and great acoustic attenuation was never seen. In one case, slight acoustic enhancement was present posterior to the lesions from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Multiple masses in the same patient always had the same sonographic features. While evaluating a breast mass in a patient with a known malignancy elsewhere in the body, the absence of an acoustic shadow posterior to the lesion may allow the metastatic nature of the disease to be considered as a diagnostic possibility.     

Sonographic features of breast hamartomas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the sonographic characteristics of breast hamartomas. METHODS: Data and sonographic images of 14 breast hamartomas were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All patients had clinically palpable lumps. The median patient age was 39.5 years (range, 24-60 years). Eleven (78.6%) tumors occurred in the right breast, and 3 (21.4%) were in the left. The median tumor size measured by sonography was 2.8 cm (range, 1.2-4.9 cm). The median longest transverse dimension-anteroposterior diameter ratio of the tumors was 2.44 (range, 1.52-3.73). All tumors were oval and compressible with transducer pressure. Thirteen (92.9%) tumors were well circumscribed with smooth tumor margins, and 1 (7.1%) had indistinct margins. The internal echo texture was hyperechoic in 6 (42.9%), mixed (heterogeneous) echogenicity in 5 (35.7%), and isoechoic in 3 (21.4%). Four (28.6%) tumors had echogenic halos, and 2 (14.3%) had anechoic halos. Ten (71.4%) tumors had no retrotumor acoustic phenomena. Two (14.3%) had bilateral edge shadowing; 1 (7.1%) had posterior enhancement; and 1 (7.1%) had a mixture of enhancement and shadowing. CONCLUSIONS: Breast hamartomas were well-circumscribed, solid, oval tumors without intratumor microcalcification. The internal echo texture of most hamartomas is either hyperechoic or composed of mixed echogenicity. Retrotumor acoustic phenomena were absent in most hamartomas.     

Plantar fibromatosis: most common sonographic appearance and variations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the most common sonographic appearances of plantar fibromatosis, thus enabling sonographic diagnosis of this benign, focally invasive fibrous neoplasm. METHODS: The medical records, pathologic reports, and sonographic reports and images of 22 patients with palpable plantar masses were reviewed retrospectively. The sonographic findings were used to characterize those masses with respect to location, shape, size, and echogenicity. Sixteen patients were included in this study because of the proximity of their lesions to the plantar fascia; 6 patients were excluded because their lesions were metatarsophalangeal bursae or ganglia. RESULTS: The 20 feet examined in the 16 patients studied contained 43 distinct lesions, all located on the surface of the plantar fascia. Thirty-seven (86%) of the 43 were 20 mm long or less. Thirty-seven (86%) of the 43 lesions were elongated; the remaining 6 (14%) were round or oval. Twenty-five (68%) of the 37 elongated lesions had tapered ends, and the other 12 (32%) had rounded ends. Thirty-one (72%) of the 43 lesions were hypoechoic; 25 (81%) of these 31 measured as long as 10 mm. Ten (83%) of the 12 lesions that had mixed echogenicity were longer than 10 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions of plantar fibromatosis were characteristically located on the surface of the plantar fascia, sagittally elongated, most often less than 20 mm long, fusiform, and hypoechoic. Lesions longer than 10 mm often exhibited mixed echogenicity. The superficial location and appearance should strongly suggest plantar fibromatosis, although careful examination is required to exclude other possibilities, such as sarcoma.     

Testicular epidermoid cysts: sonographic features with histopathologic correlation

Testicular epidermoid cysts are rare, accounting for 1% of all testicular tumors. We present the sonographic appearances of epidermoid cysts in 3 cases, together with the histopathologic correlation. In case 1, sonography showed an intratesticular hypoechoic mass with a well-defined echogenic rim; the mass measured 1.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm, and there was no evidence of calcification. In case 2, sonography showed a well-circumscribed mass measuring 1.3 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm, with alternating hypoechoic and hyperechoic rings (onion-ring appearance) and no calcifications. In case 3, sonography showed a 2.4- x 2.3- x 2.3-cm, well-circumscribed, oval mass with a heterogeneous echotexture and an outer hypoechoic halo. The mass contained plaque-like regions of increased echogenicity, with peripheral acoustic shadowing from refraction artifact. Hypoechoic clefts were visualized posterior to the plaque-like areas. The triad of findings-sonographic appearance of an onion ring, avascularity on Doppler sonography, and negative results of tumor marker studies-is highly suggestive of an epidermoid cyst.     

Ultrasonographic Features of Eccrine Spiradenoma

The purpose of this series was to evaluate the features of eccrine spiradenoma on ultrasonography (US). We reviewed the clinical data of 8 patients with eccrine spiradenoma who underwent preoperative US at 4 different medical institutions from 2004 to 2016 and analyzed the US features in terms of the tumor location, size, shape, margin, echo texture, echogenicity, posterior acoustic enhancement, calcification, septum, and color Doppler flow. There were 7 female patients and 1 male patient. The mean patient age was 45.6 years (range, 28–60 years). Most of the tumors were located primarily in the subcutaneous fat layer. The mean size of the tumors was 14.3 mm. The masses had a lobular appearance in 7 patients and had a tractlike structure in 3 patients. In 6 patients, the masses had a heterogeneous echo texture. Six cases showed hypoechogenicity with more hypoechoic foci in the masses, and 2 cases showed hypoechogenicity only. Color Doppler flow was evaluated in 7 patients; the blood flow was central and peripheral in 4 patients and only peripheral in 3 patients. All cases showed posterior acoustic enhancement and had well‐defined margins. Calcification and septa were not seen in any cases. Eccrine spiradenoma is usually located in the subcutaneous fat layer, has a well‐defined margin, a lobulated appearance, occasionally with a tractlike structure, a heterogeneous echo texture, a hypoechoic appearance with internal hypoechoic foci and posterior acoustic enhancement, and shows blood flow in the peripheral portion, with or without blood flow in the central portion.     

Symptomatic plantar fibroma with a unique sonographic appearance

We present a case of a solitary plantar fibroma with unique sonographic features with MRI and pathologic correlation. A 25-year-old woman presented with a left foot mass that interfered with her gait. Sonography demonstrated a well-circumscribed, 32 mm × 27 mm × 14 mm subcutaneous mass with heterogeneous echogenicity. Unique sonographic characteristics included posterior acoustic enhancement, cystic components, and mild intratumoral hypervascularity. MRI confirmed the sonographic findings. Surgical excision was performed without complication. A pathologic diagnosis of fibroma with myxoid degeneration and cyst formation was made.     

Characteristic sonographic findings of Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the characteristic sonographic features of Warthin's tumors in the parotid gland, thus enhancing the ability to make a preoperative diagnosis of this disease process. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the sonograms of Warthin's tumors of the parotid gland that had been confirmed by histopathologic examination of surgically excised specimens from patients treated at our institution over a 2-year period. We recorded the echogenicity, shape, margin, and internal structure of the tumors and categorized them into 2 groups on the basis of size (< 5 cm versus > or =5 cm in the largest diameter). RESULTS: Eighteen patients (16 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 57 years (range, 29-82 years) were included in the analysis. One patient had 2 tumors (1 in each parotid gland); the other 17 patients each had only 1 tumor. Our review of the sonographic findings revealed that all 19 tumors were hypoechoic compared with the normal parenchyma of the affected parotid glands. Most of the tumors were ovoid, had well-defined margins, and contained multiple irregular, small, sponge-like anechoic areas. Tumors that were 5 cm or greater in diameter had a higher proportion of cystic content than smaller lesions had and in some cases were composed almost entirely of cystic material. CONCLUSIONS: Our evidence suggests that the sonographic appearance of a Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland is distinctive: a well-defined round or ovoid hypoechoic mass containing microcystic anechoic areas. These sonographic features constitute useful criteria in the preoperative diagnosis of Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland, although sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.     

Sonographic patterns of renal cell carcinoma with emphasis on relation to tumor size

The sonographic appearance of 37 renal cell carcinomas was reviewed with particular emphasis on the relationship between the echo pattern of tumor and tumor size. Small carcinomas tended to be solid and hypoechoic; seven lesions less than 5 cm in the largest dimension were either hypo- or isoechoic . The echogenicity level of the solid parts within the lesion, whether it was solid or mixed, tended to increase as the tumor grew. It is important to recognize that the sonographic appearance of renal cell carcinomas varies with the size of the tumor.     

Handheld ultrasound device for detection of non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether a portable handheld ultrasound device can be used to visualize non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues and to characterize their sonographic appearance. METHODS: Twenty-two fragments composed of various natural and man-made materials and ranging from 4 to 20 mm in the maximum longitudinal dimension were embedded into 2 thawed turkey breasts. Two sonographers who were unaware of the number, dimensions, and locations of the fragments used a handheld ultrasound device to detect and characterize the fragments on the basis of their surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing. The sonographic appearance of each fragment was compared with its actual characteristics. RESULTS: All 22 embedded fragments were successfully identified and localized on sonography. Surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing varied among the fragments. For some fragments, the sonographically measured maximum longitudinal dimension differed substantially from the actual dimension. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a portable handheld ultrasound device is effective for the detection of foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 4 mm in soft tissues. The sonographic appearances of non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies vary in their patterns of surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing.     

Investigation of Sonographic Criteria for Reliable Identification of T1–T2 Low-Grade Malignant Tumors of the Parotid Gland

The aim of this study was to investigate sonographic findings of low-grade malignant tumors of the parotid gland. The sonographic findings of all patients treated for T1–T2 low-grade carcinomas of the parotid gland between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively examined and compared with those of patients with pleomorphic adenomas for the following parameters: definition of tumor margins, echotexture, echogenicity, shape and vascularization. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ² test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 310 patients (62 with T1–T2 low-grade malignant tumors, 248 with pleomorphic adenomas) were evaluated. Our analysis detected a statistically significant difference in the definition of margins, echotexture, echogenicity and shape. Furthermore, we could detect a specific pattern (anechoic islets in a small hypoechoic lesion with distal enhancement) appearing far more frequently in low-grade malignant lesions. It seems that there is still potential to reduce the incidence of the false working hypothesis “benign lesion” on imaging of low-grade malignant tumors.     

Infantile scrotal pyocele simulating missed testicular torsion on sonography

We present the case of a neonate with idiopathic infantile pyocele. Scrotal sonography revealed a complex fluid collection within the left scrotal sac containing septations and a fluid-fluid level. The dependent region of the collection had moderate echogenicity, the slightly hypoechoic testis was not well defined, and the scrotal wall was thickened. Color Doppler sonography revealed mild hypervascularity in the thickened scrotal wall but no vascularity inside the testis. The sonographic findings suggested missed testicular torsion, but surgery revealed a pyocele, for which no source was identified. Radiologists should be aware that idiopathic infantile pyocele can mimic the Doppler sonographic findings in missed testicular torsion.     

Sonography of morel-lavallee lesions

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series was to retrospectively characterize the sonographic appearance of posttraumatic Morel-Lavallée lesions. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, a search of the radiology information system database with correlation to medical records identified 21 posttraumatic fluid collections of the hip and thigh in 15 patients. Sonographic images were retrospectively reviewed by 1 author to characterize the echogenicity, homogeneity, shape, margins, location, compressibility, and vascularity of the fluid collection. Results were correlated with the age of the fluid collection and aspiration results where possible. RESULTS: All fluid collections (21/21) were located between the deep fat and fascia, with a shape that was fusiform in 12 (60%) of 20, flat in 5 (25%), and lobular in 3 (15%) (shape not determined in 1 case). Regarding echogenicity, 15 (71%) of the 21 collections were hypoechoic, and 6 (29%) were anechoic; 13 (62%) were heterogeneous, and 8 (38%) were homogeneous. The lobular fluid collections were all less than 2 weeks of age, and the flat fluid collections were all greater than 6 months of age. All homogeneous fluid collections were greater than 8 months of age. There was no relationship between the age of a fluid collection and its echogenicity. Conclusions. Morel-Lavallée lesions had a variable appearance, being more homogeneous and flat or fusiform in shape with a well-defined margin as the lesions aged. All Morel-Lavallée lesions were hypoechoic or anechoic, compressible, and located between the deep fat and overlying fascia.     

Tubular ectasia within the mediastinum testis.

Eleven scrotal sonographic examinations showing a spectrum of findings within the mediastinum testis were collected over a 2 year period. Each case showed numerous small tubular or rounded anechoic structures within the mediastinum testis; often, the findings mimicked a hypoechoic mass. Findings were bilateral in eight of ten patients; one additional patient had only one testis because of orchiectomy. All patients had an associated extratesticular finding, in most cases a spermatocele. Tubular ectasia shares several features with testicular cysts and mechanisms of formation are postulated to be similar to those previously proposed for testicular cysts. Recognizing tubular ectasia is important to avoid unnecessary concern and potential surgery.     

乳腺脂肪坏死的超声表现及病理对照分析

目的：探讨乳腺脂肪坏死的超声表现及病理基础。方法：回顾性分析经病理证实的33例（其中4例为双侧乳腺脂肪坏死，共37个病变）乳腺脂肪坏死超声表现，并与病理结果对照。结果：主要超声表现：等回声病灶5个（13．5％），低回声病灶16个（43．2％），无回声病灶10个（27．0％），囊实混合回声病灶6个（16．2％）。所有病灶均无血流信号，部分病灶可伴钙化，边界不清，低、无回声病灶后方回声可增强或衰减。病灶位于皮下组织层内7个，腺体内30个。病理表现：①脂肪细胞坏死液化，融合成大的脂肪空泡，周边可见上皮样细胞及泡沫细胞聚集，外围有薄层肉芽组织，伴有大量淋巴细胞和部分浆细胞浸润；②囊壁不同程度增厚，纤维化和玻璃样变，可出现钙盐沉积；⑧病灶已部分或全部被纤维组织取代，周围残留部分纤维组织形成小腔或瘢痕。通常不同病理形式的超声表现常同时出现。结论：超声检查对诊断乳腺脂肪坏死具有重要价值。