Ultrasonographic appearance of gastrointestinal masses.

A typical ultrasonographic appearance of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract has recently been described. This consists of a mass with strong central echoes and a virtually anechoic periphery. The anechoic periphery is due to the thickened bowel wall. Thirty-three patients with documented masses involving the stomach, small and large bowel demonstrated this appearance on ultrasound. Thirty-one had neoplastic masses and two had mass lesions due to Crohn's disease. In the presence of an abdominal mass, unltrasonography may be performed prior to barium studies. Recognition of this typical ultrasonographic appearance is important in directing further investigation to the appropriate site.