Extended Field-of-View Sonography: Evaluation of the Superficial Lesions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of extended-field-of-view 2-dimensional ultrasonography technique in superficial lesions. METHODS: During a 6-month period, 44 patients with superficial lesions on various parts of their bodies were evaluated with extended-field-of-view ultrasonography in addition to routine traditional 2-dimensional ultrasonography. If the diagnosis could not be made without the extended-field-of-view images, it was considered diagnostic. The radiologist decided if the extended-field-of-view ultrasonography helped spatial orientation, communicate findings, or compare the contralateral side in a single image, or if it was useful for follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: By using extended-field-of-view imaging including the surrounding anatomy, 22 musculoskeletal, 8 scrotal, 8 thyroid, 2 breast, and 4 abdominal wall lesions were documented successfully as a single image. Nevertheless, no new cases were diagnosed solely based on the extended-field-of-view images. Extended-field-of-view ultrasonography was considered helpful for spatial orientation in 25 cases (56.8%), for comparing the contralateral side in 16 cases (36.3%), and for communicating findings in 20 cases (45.4%). It was useful for follow-up evaluation in 13 cases (29.5%). CONCLUSIONS: None of the extended-field-of-view images was diagnostic. However, they did provide valuable additional information and better documentation of the lesions.