[Preliminary studies in diagnosis of lesions in paravascular organs with intravascular ultrasound]

A new variety of intravascular ultrasound examination,--using mainly ultrasound probes with 12.5 MHz, in a few cases 20 MHz--via the inferior vena cava or the aorta was used to image small lesions in paravascular organs (adrenals, lymph nodes etc.). This is difficult with other diagnostic methods. The examinations were performed during selective blood sampling for hormone determination or during angiography, practically without additional burden for the patient. To demonstrate that this ultrasound method can be successfully used, we obtained an image of a small adenoma of the right adrenal, which in this case was also seen by CT and angiography. In another patient we identified a paracaval lymph node 4 mm in diameter. Another application of this method could be the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis in patients hypersensitive to contrast media. As an example, we demonstrated the difference in diameter of the ostia of the renal arteries of a patient with an anatomic variant on the left side. To improve this method it is recommended to use a 7.5-MHz probe with better beam penetration.