[Color Doppler ultrasonography versus angiography in leg aneurysms]. / Eco-color-Doppler versus angiografia negli aneurismi degli arti inferiori.

The authors compared color-Doppler US with angiographic findings in the study of peripheral lower limbs aneurysms. Twelve cases were observed over a 2-year period of time. In each case, the combination of B-mode and color-Doppler US permitted the accurate evaluation of the aneurysm and of the possible compression of adjacent vessels. Angiography, which was considered the gold standard, detected only 8 of 12 cases; in 3 of 8 cases, the actual diameter of the aneurysm was under estimated. The simultaneous visualization of vessel wall and of intraluminal blood flow proved color-Doppler US to be superior to the gold standard in these cases. The authors conclude that color-Doppler US may become the new reference standard in the diagnosis and follow-up of peripheral aneurysms.

[Tropical splenomegaly: echographic picture]. / Splenomegalia tropicale: quadro ecografico.

Tropical splenomegaly is a pathologic condition due to multiple causes, endemic malaria being the major one. Twenty-eight black patients, 10 males and 18 females, residing in a tropical area, were investigated with US. The morphological features and major diameters of the spleen were studied and the splenic volumetric index (IVS) was calculated. Typical features were the presence of small intraparenchymal calcifications (46%) and the enlargement of splenic vessels, with US wall reinforcement (75%). No nodular lesions were detected, but increased frequency of organ lobulation was observed. A definite and uniform increase in splenic diameters was seen in all cases; IVS in particular was greater than the accepted confidence limit (21.5 +/- 6.5). This characteristic features should help the echographist to recognize this condition for they supply useful clinical information.

[The role of color Doppler echography in the diagnosis of breast tumors]. / Il ruolo dell'eco Color-Doppler nella diagnostica dei tumori della mammella.

The authors discuss the results from a series of 45 patients with breast lumps. All patients were studied by means of mammography, sonography, color Doppler US, and biopsy. Abnormal Doppler signal was observed in 94% of the patients with breast cancer. However, this finding is not specific because it can be occasionally found in benign lesions too. The use of color Doppler US is suggested in those cases where neither US nor mammography is conclusive.

[Differential diagnosis of hematoma, pulsating hematoma and pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery using color Doppler]. / Diagnosi differenziale tra ematoma, ematoma pulsante e pseudoaneurisma dell'arteria femorale mediante color Doppler.

Color Doppler and Duplex Doppler US were employed on 4 patients with clinically suspected pseudoaneurysms as a complication of femoral artery puncture after cardiac catheterization. Pseudoaneurysms were identified with Color Doppler US and their typical appearance was confirmed. The grey-scale findings did not allow an adequate differentiation between hematoma and pulsed hematoma without fibrous encapsulation: only Color Doppler US easily detected the track between damaged artery and blood collection and allowed a sample to be obtained for pulsed Doppler examination. Color Doppler US allowed an accurate and non-invasive diagnosis of groin masses after femoral artery catheterization.

[Role of echography in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors]. / Ruolo dell'ecografia nella diagnosi dei tumori ovarici.

The role of sonography is evaluated in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Real-time US proves more sensitive than gynecological examination in the diagnosis of ovarian diseases. As yet, however, no correlation has been found between histological findings and US appearance. An accurate review of the relative literature and of our results lead us to the conclusion that sonography does not significantly affect the early diagnosis of ovarian tumors.