Extended field-of-view sonography: evaluation of the superficial lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of extended-field-of-view 2-dimensional ultrasonography technique in superficial lesions.


METHODS
During a 6-month period, 44 patients with superficial lesions on various parts of their bodies were evaluated with extended-field-of-view ultrasonography in addition to routine traditional 2-dimensional ultrasonography. If the diagnosis could not be made without the extended-field-of-view images, it was considered diagnostic. The radiologist decided if the extended-field-of-view ultrasonography helped spatial orientation, communicate findings, or compare the contralateral side in a single image, or if it was useful for follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
By using extended-field-of-view imaging including the surrounding anatomy, 22 musculoskeletal, 8 scrotal, 8 thyroid, 2 breast, and 4 abdominal wall lesions were documented successfully as a single image. Nevertheless, no new cases were diagnosed solely based on the extended-field-of-view images. Extended-field-of-view ultrasonography was considered helpful for spatial orientation in 25 cases (56.8%), for comparing the contralateral side in 16 cases (36.3%), and for communicating findings in 20 cases (45.4%). It was useful for follow-up evaluation in 13 cases (29.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
None of the extended-field-of-view images was diagnostic. However, they did provide valuable additional information and better documentation of the lesions.
Baskent University, Zubeyde Hanim Practice and Research Center, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey. hasanyerli@yahoo.com
Hasan
H
Yerli
Secil Yucel
SY
Eksioglu
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*