Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 12, Issue 1 23-26, Copyright © 1993 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Sonographic evaluation of local recurrences of soft tissue sarcomas

G. Pino, G. F. Conzi, C. Murolo, F. Schenone, L. Magliani, A. Imperiale, G. Dato, M. Panetta and S. Toma
Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Institute for Cancer Research of Genova, Italy.

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.

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