B-scan ultrasound exploration of neoplastic disease.

The two-dimensional ultrasound technique of Donald and Brown was used for examination of 197 patients, nearly all suffering from neoplastic lesions at various sites.The method proved to be contributory in 133 cases, but it is stressed that the disease was nearly always known or the clinical evidence was clear before ultrasound exploration.If the misleading and inconclusive results are taken together, this investigation was of no advantage to diagnosis in 32 per cent of the cases.The current limitations of the method are: the small scope for differential diagnosis and the low resolving power; small lesions are missed or are obscured by artifacts. Hence, the need for better instruments and more experience.In view of the safety, simplicity and repeatability of the investigation it is thought that the necessary technologic improvements will soon be forthcoming, and that this method will prove to be an ideal preliminary diagnostic procedure.