A control study of ultrasound and histology of normal rectal walls / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the ultrasonographic features of normal rectal walls.Methods Ten removed rectal specimens were scanned with high frequency (4-13 MHz) linear array probe to obtain ultrasound images of various layers and having each layer marked,and separated,followed by histological examination respectively.Results Ultrasound demonstrated seven layers of structure which were identified by alternative high and low echoes.From innermost layer towards the outer layers,they were divided ashigh-echo acoustic interface,low-echo mucous layer,high-echo sub-mucous layer,low-echo circular muscle layer,high-echo fibrous connective tissue layer,low-echo outer longitudinal muscle layer and high-echo outer membrane layer.All these findings were justified by histological examination.Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound demonstrated 7 layers of echoes in normal rectal walls.This provides imaging basis for diagnosis and judge the invasion degree of rectal cancers.