Value of ultrasound (US) in the study of 116 alimentary tract lesions

The value of US in the diagnosis of the alimentary tract diseases is discussed on the basis of a personal series of 116 cases, including 58 lesions detected by US as first investigation. The findings observed are: 1) signet ring; 2) pseudokidney or cockade; 3) tram lines; 4) solid mass; 5) pseudokidney + solid mass. The value of the method is stressed in the staging of malignancies, in the evaluation of palpable masses, in the correct interpretation of some phlogistic diseases and in the follow up. Finally, emphasis is given to its high possibility of topographic definition. US are more and more employed in the diagnosis of abdominal diseases. Concerning the alimentary tract they still remain an investigation complementary to radiology and endoscopy. But the author's opinion is that, when emploied a first investigation, one should not exclude the systematic detection of any possible unknown lesion of the alimentary tract: a good example are the 32 positive cases (24