OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze results obtained in 22 patients affected by malignant high-grade chest wall tumors evaluated preoperatively by ultrasonography as well as other imaging techniques. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with chest wall high-grade sarcomas routinely underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, total body scintigraphy, and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography was always performed by the same person using an ultrasonography system with a 5- to 13-MHz probe and with color Doppler evaluation of the lesion. Scans were done with the patient positioned as during surgery. Tumor lateral margins were identified, and a line was marked at 4 cm. In 8 patients with local recurrence, the presence of micronodules was also studied. Results of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography were compared with the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Histologically, all surgical specimens excised according to ultrasonographic margins showed wide margins. Ultrasonography showed micronodules in 6 of 8 patients with local recurrence; histologically, they were all identified as sarcoma nodules. Ultrasonography failed in particular with cervical-mediastinal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that ultrasonography is feasible and reliable in the study of superficial margins and for detection of micronodules of less than 0.5 cm in diameter.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze results obtained in 22 patients affected by malignant high-grade chest wall tumors evaluated preoperatively by ultrasonography as well as other imaging techniques. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with chest wall high-grade sarcomas routinely underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, total body scintigraphy, and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography was always performed by the same person using an ultrasonography system with a 5- to 13-MHz probe and with color Doppler evaluation of the lesion. Scans were done with the patient positioned as during surgery. Tumor lateral margins were identified, and a line was marked at 4 cm. In 8 patients with local recurrence, the presence of micronodules was also studied. Results of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography were compared with the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Histologically, all surgical specimens excised according to ultrasonographic margins showed wide margins. Ultrasonography showed micronodules in 6 of 8 patients with local recurrence; histologically, they were all identified as sarcoma nodules. Ultrasonography failed in particular with cervical-mediastinal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that ultrasonography is feasible and reliable in the study of superficial margins and for detection of micronodules of less than 0.5 cm in diameter.