Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 13, Issue 3 165-169, Copyright © 1994 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Color Doppler flow imaging of pediatric soft tissue masses
H. R. Latifi and M. J. Siegel
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, MO 63110.
The blood flow pattern within and around soft tissue tumors was analyzed to
determine if color Doppler images could aid in the differential diagnosis.
The study comprised 49 children with 50 masses: 24 inflammatory lesions,
eight malformations, six neoplasms, five cysts, and seven traumatic
lesions. A peripheral pattern (flow around the mass) was noted in eight of
50 lesions (16%). A mixed pattern (flow within and around the lesion) was
noted in eight of 50 lesions (16%), and a central pattern (flow in the
central region of the mass) was noted in 10 of 50 lesions (20%). Flow was
absent in 24 lesions (48%). The peripheral pattern was observed only in
abscesses. The other patterns were seen most frequently in lymphadenitis
but were not specific for that diagnosis. Our experience suggests that
color Doppler imaging is useful only in the diagnosis of abscess. In other
lesions, color Doppler imaging alone is insufficient for diagnosis.
