Sonographic diagnosis and follow-up of abdominal neuroblastoma

Intraabdominal neuroblastomas were evaluated by sonography in 30 children, 18 of whom underwent 2-5 studies, for a total of 63 examinations. All tumors had a variable and inhomogeneous echo pattern, but the level of echogenicity and changes in echo texture with therapy were of no value in predicting the course of disease. Sonography was limited in delineating the extent of tumor and in following response to therapy. Total resolution of abdominal disease could not always be accurately diagnosed with sonography. Computed tomography is recommended to evaluate further those children in whom abdominal disease is thought to have resolved, since heavily calcified, residual neuroblastoma may be mistaken for bowel gas on sonography.