title: [Ultrasonography of tumors of the locomotor system].
abstract: Sonography is an integral part of primary tumor diagnosis and follow-up for the great majority of organ systems. However, its value in the field of space-occupying processes of the locomotor system, especially of malignant bone tumors, has mostly been underestimated. The sonographic examination has to investigate the whole tumor region and the corresponding lymph nodes statically and dynamically. The examination procedure should be standardized and the documentation reliable. Evaluation criteria are the localization, dimensions, and volume of the tumors, echogenicity and homogeneity, peri- and intratumoral vascularization (vessel density and architecture), borders of the tumor, and neighboring structures. Pathologic changes not only of the soft tissues but also of the bones can be evaluated sonographically. Even subtle analysis does not permit definitive assessment of tumor status. Taking its physical limitations into consideration, high-resolution sonography, enhanced by color/PowerDoppler and three-dimensional techniques, is a valuable adjunct to improve diagnosis, therapy planning, monitoring, and posttherapeutic care of tumors of the locomotor system.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Klinische Radiologie und Poliklinik, Radiologische Universitätsklinik, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg. ulrich_mende@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mende
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutwein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krempien
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wannenmacher
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ewerbeck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wörn
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color