[The effect of sonography on the therapeutic outcome in posttraumatic, postoperative and inflammatory soft tissue lesions].

A total of 135 patients with a suspected diagnosis of post-traumatic, postoperative or inflammatory soft-tissue lesions were examined by ultrasound. The majority of patients (n = 48) showed post-traumatic soft-tissue hematomas with or without muscle rupture. Post-operative hematomas were found in 23 and hematomas after anticoagulation therapy in 4 patients. Inflammatory soft-tissue lesions were diagnosed in 14 patients and inflammatory tendon lesions in 16. The ultrasonographic diagnoses and therapeutic consequences were compared retrospectively. Therapeutic management was based upon the clinical signs and sonographic findings. Ultrasonically guided needle aspiration is of diagnostic value and is performed as a therapeutic modality as well.