[Ultrasound-controlled fine needle puncture of gastrointestinal tumors with continuous view]

On account of its principle, ultrasound tomography cannot be recommended as a screening method for intestinal tumors; nevertheless, it may sometimes demonstrate larger tumors not producing typical signs. These neoplasms show a characteristic pattern ("cockade phenomenon"). In the region of the antrum they appear occasionally as a rigid thickening of the gastric wall. The nature of such an expansive lesion may be evaluated quickly and safely by a fine-needle puncture performed under sonographic control. No complications have been observed so far.