Sister chromatid exchange and proliferation pattern after ultrasound exposure in vivo.

The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency and cell-cycle specific metaphase patterns were investigated in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes in vitro after in vivo exposure of 15 patients to diagnostic ultrasound. No significant differences were found in SCE rates before and after ultrasound exposure. The evaluation of cell-cycle specific metaphase patterns, differentiating cells which passed one, two, or more cell cycles, gave no evidence for a cell-growth inhibitory effect. Since SCE is regarded as a highly sensitive method for the detection of mutagenic effects, our data confirm previous reports on the genetic safety of diagnostic ultrasound.