Abstract
Radiographic examination of soft tissue extremity masses is frequently inconclusive. In 18 patients with normal or nonspecifically abnormal radiographs, gray scale ultrasonography provided useful additional information. It was possible to distinguish fluid collections from solid masses, and recurrent venous thrombosis from hematoma in anticoagulated patients. Occasionally, specific diagnoses were suggested on the basis of ultrasonic morphologic characteristics. Diagnoses included soft tissue neoplasms, hematomas, aneurysms, synovial cysts, abscesses, and a lymphocele.
Ultrasonically guided percutaneous needle aspiration was diagnostic in two cases. Features of differential diagnostic value relative to extremity solid masses and fluid collections are discussed. Ultrasonography is useful in evaluating these soft tissue masses.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carpenter, J., Hattery, R., Hunder, G., Bryan, R., McLeod, R.: Ultrasound evaluation of the popliteal space: Comparison with arthrography and physical examination. Mayo Clin. Proc. 51, 498 (1976)
Cooperberg, P., Tsang, I., Truelove, L., Knickerbocker, J.: Gray scale ultrasound in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Radiology 126, 759 (1978)
Gompels, B., Darlington, L.: Gray scale ultrasonography and arthrography in evaluation of popliteal cysts. Clin. Radiol. 30, 539 (1979)
Lawson, T., Mittler, S.: Ultrasonic evaluation of extremity soft tissue lesions with arthrographic correlation. J. Can. Assoc. Radiol. 29, 58 (1978)
McDonald, D., Leopold, G.: Ultrasound B-scanning in the differentiation of Baker's cyst and thrombophlebitis. Br. J. Radiol. 45, 729 (1972)
Moore, C., Sarti, D., Louie, J.: Ultrasonographic demonstration of popliteal cysts in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 18, 577 (1975)
Seltzer, S., Finberg, H., Weissman, B.: Arthrosonography-ultrasound examination of joints (abs). Invest. Radiol. 14, 373 (1979)
Silver, T., Washburn, R., Stanley, J., Gross, W.: Gray scale ultrasound evaluation of popliteal artery aneurysms. Am. J. Roentgenol. 129, 1003 (1977)
Wicks, J., Silver, T., Bree, R.: Gray scale features of hematomas: An ultrasonic spectrum. Am. J. Roentgenol. 131, 977 (1978)
Wilson, J., Korobkin, M., Genant, H., Bovill, E.: Computed tomography of musculoskeletal disorders. Am. J. Roentgenol. 131, 55 (1978)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Braunstein, E.M., Silver, T.M., Martel, W. et al. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of extremity masses. Skeletal Radiol. 6, 157–163 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347181
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347181