[High resolution real time sonography in tumors of the soft tissues of the neck]

In 111 non-selected patients with soft tissue tumours of the neck ultrasound examinations were carried out by means of a high resolution real-time scanner (7 MHz). The sonographic findings were recorded and compared with the operative and histological results in nearly all cases. Echomorphological patterns of different cystic and solid space-occupying lesions were demonstrated as well as problems and limitations of this imaging method. Our results show that high-resolution B-scan-sonography has proved to be of great diagnostic value in the preoperative examination of soft tissue tumours of the neck. Furthermore, ultrasound examinations permit an estimation of the size of tumours, their topographic localisation with reference to the great vessels, and provide excellent noninvasive follow-up studies in patients treated by nonsurgical therapy.