Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 8 421-424, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonographic detection and fine-needle aspiration biopsy of nonpalpable recurrent or metastatic melanoma in subcutaneous tissues
B. D. Fornage and J. G. Lorigan
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Subcutaneous or lymph node metastases from melanoma may not be palpable
because of their small size, their distance from the skin surface, or their
location in an area of fibrosis due to previous surgery or irradiation.
High-resolution sonography has been used to detect clinically occult foci
of recurrent or metastatic melanoma, whereas real-time, ultrasound-guided,
fine-needle aspiration biopsy provided cytologic confirmation. Following
excision of cutaneous melanoma, sonographic follow-up of the areas of the
surgical scar and lymphatic drainage is recommended whenever residual
disease is suspected or when clinical evaluation is limited by
postoperative or postradiation changes. Any nonpalpable hypoechoic mass
detected in those areas should have a biopsy under real-time sonographic
guidance.
