Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of spinal and sacral tumours

Spinal and sacral tumours present not only a challenge in their initial diagnosis but also in their subsequent progress. Imaging of these tumours usually requires intrathecal contrast medium but where an acoustic window is present ultrasound may be used. The ability and clinical value of ultrasound has been assessed in 13 examinations on 10 patients. Although there was no clinical advantage in three and only equivocal advantage in one, ultrasound provided unequivocal benefit in five examinations and was synergistic in four. The technique is simple, quick and well tolerated.