Open Access Technical innovations

Intraoperative portable ultrasonography localization of clinically impalpable soft-tissue tumors

Jagajeevan Jagadeesan1, Jonathan A Davies1, Anna Raurell1 and Robert U Ashford1,2,3*

Author Affiliations

1 East Midlands Sarcoma Service, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

2 East Midlands Sarcoma Service, Department of Orthopaedics, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK

3 Division of Orthopaedic and Accident Surgery, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK

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World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2012, 10:243 doi:10.1186/1477-7819-10-243

Published: 13 November 2012

Abstract

Background

Most soft-tissue tumors are clinically palpable; however, some can be impalpable to clinical examination making it difficult to plan surgical management.

Methods

We present a simple method of perioperative tumor localization using a portable ultrasonography machine.

Results

We used the technique for seven cases, on each occasion identifying the tumor and facilitating the optimal surgical approach.

Conclusion

The technique is reproducible and readily available, and we recommend its use.

Keywords:
Soft-tissue sarcomas; Intraoperative localization; Portable ultrasonography; Sonosite®