Sonographic evaluation of local recurrences of soft tissue sarcomas.
The aim of our study was to establish whether ultrasonography can be proposed as the main diagnostic technique for the follow-up of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). In 26 patients with previous history of STS, a sonographic examination was carried out using a 5 MHz linear transducer to identify early local recurrences. Sonography was performed every 3 months and a computed tomographic (CT) control was made when the sonogram showed findings strongly suggestive of recurrence. STS recurrences were detected by sonography in 20 of 26 patients (77%) and were confirmed by histologic examination. In six cases, sonographic results were uncertain and in three of these the recurrence was ascertained by biopsy. CT scan provided a correct diagnosis in 16 patients (61.5%) and only in cases with lesions greater than 5 cm in diameter. From our experience we conclude that high frequency sonography is a most accurate noninvasive approach in early detection of STS recurrences. CT plays an important role in the cases amenable to surgery treatment and is recommended to obtain a better assessment of anatomic connection between tumor and adjacent structures.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Institute for Cancer Research of Genova, Italy.
G
G
Pino
G F
GF
Conzi
C
C
Murolo
F
F
Schenone
L
L
Magliani
A
A
Imperiale
G
G
Dato
M
M
Panetta
S
S
Toma
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005121:Extremities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography