Intra operative Echography in the detection of lung nodules

The lung is the second organ in frequency of metastases of all the neoplasia of the organism. Per years, the exam bimanual was considered the more sensitive method of diagnosis. However, the metastasis relapse and the re-interventions necessity, they forced to the search of new diagnostics alternative. We introduced the intra-operative echography as a diagnostic tool of lesions lung metastasis in patients that completed the inclusion approaches and they were subjected to metastasectomy between August of 1997 and May of 1998. By means of technical of conventional surgical, it was practiced bimanual exam of the collapsed lung. Later on, it was carried out the echography, previous infusion of saline solution in the pleural cavity, using an echography equipment with sectorial transducer multi purpose of high resolution of 7,5 Mhz. All the lesions detected by both methods were identified and their size and registered localization. It was practiced cuneiform resection and histopathologic study in all the cases. The study included eleven patients; six were men (55%) and five women (45%). In total 50 nodules were dried up. The surgeon detected 35 (78%) and the echography 45 (90%). In total 42 were reported as metastasis; of these only 27 (64%) they were located by the surgeon, in comparison with 42 (100%) evidenced by the echography. The echography diagnosed 13 nodules smaller than 5 mm. (29,5%) against 2 (5,7%) detected by the surgeon, that which was statistically significant (square Chi IG.L = 7.2; p 0.007) The average time of the echography was of 9 minutes (range 5 to 15 minutes) we can conclude that the echography realization is more sensitive than the bimanual exam in the detection of metastasis lung nodules, especially those of inferior diameter to 5 mm. The echography can be carried out in sure form without prolonging the operative time ostensibly