The sonographic appearance of metastatic malignant melanoma

The sonographic findings in the abdomen in 42 patients with intra-abdominal metastases from malignant melanoma are described. Multiple metastatic sites were seen in 10 of the 42, with the liver being the organ most often involved. Liver metastases were predominantly of low echo amplitude, and fluid was visible within 30 per cent of all metastases, probably being an indicator of the frequency of hemorrhage into these lesions. Bulky disease, especially in the retroperitoneum, was unusual in the patients examined, which probably accounts for the absence of hydronephrosis as a complication.