Ultrasonography of superficial soft tissues
Author:
Mikael Häggström [notes 1]
Planning
Choice of modality
- Ultrasonography of superficial soft tissues is the investigation of choice in stable superficial soft tissue masses of unknown origin, at least in flexion surfaces of large joints (groin, popliteal fossa, armpit and cubital fossa).
- MRI is the imaging modality of choice in suspected lipoma, with superior sensitivity of distinguishing it from liposarcoma as well as mapping the surrounding anatomy.[1]
Evaluation
Possible findings:
A typical normal lymph node: smooth, gently lobulated oval with a hypoechoic cortex measuring less than 3 mm in thickness with a central echogenic hilum.[2]
- Ultrasonography of a '''suspected malignant lymph node''', with Doppler.jpg
A suspected malignant lymph node:
- Absence of the fatty hilum
- Increased focal cortical thickness greater than 3 mm
- Doppler ultrasonography that shows hyperaemic blood flow in the hilum and central cortex and/or abnormal (non-hilar cortical) blood flow.[2]
Notes
- ↑ For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Radlines:Authorship for details.