[Ultrasound diagnosis of mural infiltration of the intestinal tract (author's transl)]

Gastro-intestinal mural infiltration can be diagnosed by ultra sound from a typical pattern of echos. This consists of a strong central echo surrounded by a circular structureless margin which indicates thickening of the gut wall. In the present paper, the significance of this appearance is discussed with particular reference to the differential diagnosis. The phenomenon is an important diagnostic criterion where there is suspicion of the presence of malignancy as a result of radiological or endoscopic examination. This is particularly important in cases where the suspicion of malignancy cannot be confirmed by biopsy and histology. It is to be expected that the routine use of ultra sound, and paying attention to the above phenomenon, will lead to further diagnostic measures in difficult diagnostic cases, such as intensive radiological examination or endoscopy with biopsy. This will lead to more rapid and more economical diagnoses.