Ultrasonography: an aid in the diagnosis of masses in pediatric patients.

Ultrasound was used to evaluate 100 pediatric patients suspected of having a mass. This technique was found to be useful in several ways: (1) differentiation of cystic, solid, and complex masses, which is not usually possible with routine roentgenographic evaluation; (2) delineation of free fluid collections from those that are loculated or contained within masses; (3) measurement of the size of both normal and abnormal structures; and (4) confirmation of the abnormal position or absence of organs. Ultrasound was used as a supplement to routine clinical and radiologic studies.