title: Superficial masses with color flow Doppler imaging.
abstract: Color Doppler imaging findings and spectral waveforms were reviewed for 21 superficial masses in which color Doppler imaging revealed flow. This series included 5 benign hyperplastic lymph nodes, 5 malignant masses, 2 staphylococcus abscesses, and 9 pseudoaneurysms. Benign hyperplastic nodes had a vascular pattern consisting of prominent central flow with a branching radial pattern, reflecting the morphology of lymph nodes. One metastasis from melanoma demonstrated abundant peripheral flow and central avascularity, while the other 4 malignant masses and the 2 abscesses had sparse internal flow. All pseudoaneurysms had a to-and-fro imaging and spectral pattern (into the mass during systole, out during diastole), and/or a swirling pattern on real-time images (8 of 9 each). Doppler spectral analysis revealed continuous forward flow during diastole for all other masses and abscesses. Waveforms appeared similar for benign and malignant masses, and for abscesses. Conventional image-directed Doppler examinations performed prior to color Doppler studies failed to reveal flow in 2 partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysms, 1 malignant mass, and 1 abscess. Benign hyperplastic nodes, malignant masses, and pseudoaneurysms had distinctive color Doppler image appearances in this series, although demonstration of flow within a mass does not eliminate the possibility of abscess. Proper use of color and spectral Doppler analysis of superficial masses involves more than mere detection or exclusion of flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Merton
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Goldberg
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging