title: Color Doppler sonographic detection of tumor flow in superficial melanoma metastases: histologic correlation.
abstract: Color Doppler sonographic detection of tumor flow within superficial melanoma metastases was investigated to determine if tumor size, vessel size, or vessel number influences signal detection. Color Doppler imaging of 32 pathologically proved melanoma metastases was performed at 6 MHz with color Doppler imaging parameters optimized for each lesion scanned. All lesions were measured in three dimensions and the presence or absence of internal flow was documented. Seven surgically excised metastases underwent immunohistochemical staining for endothelial markers. Internal flow was detected in 21 of 32 masses and was completely absent in 11. In comparison to all masses without flow, the masses with flow had significantly greater anteroposterior dimensions (P < 0.00036) and volumes (P < 0.01). Histologically, mean vessel diameter in masses with flow was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than in those without flow, but mean vessel number was not significantly different. In conclusion, detectability of tumor blood flow in superficial melanoma metastasis may be related more to tumor size and vessel size than vessel number. Failure to detect color signal within a superficial melanoma mass does not indicate a lack of internal vascularity.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Nazarian
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Capuzzi
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rawool
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D004396:Coloring Agents