[Ultrasonic study of the soft tissues of the hand. II. Tumors and pseudotumors of soft tissues. Preliminary results apropos of 12 surgically treated cases]. / Exploration ultrasonographique des parties molles de la main. II. Tumeurs et pseudo-tumeurs des parties molles. Résultats préliminaires à propos de 12 cas opérés.

Thirty patients underwent a sonographic examination of the hand because of nodular masses. In 12 out of these, the surgical removal exhibited 5 benign tumors (2 giant cell tumors, 1 angioma, 1 lipoma, 1 myoma), 5 pseudo-tumors (1 granulomatous tenosynovitis, 1 nodular tendinitis, 2 sebaceous cysts, 1 synovial cyst) and 2 congenital abnormalities of the lumbrical muscles. Except the lipoma and the nodular tendinitis, all the masses were hypoechoic or anechoic. The major interest of sonography in such a disease is a precise localization of the mass and the description of its connections with the surrounding anatomical structures.

[Echography of the flexor tendons of the fingers]. / Exploration échographique des tendons fléchisseurs des doigts de la main.

The accuracy of high-resolution real-time ultrasonic examination of the flexor tendons of the fingers was tested in a retrospective study of 27 patients treated surgically. In ruptured tendons (8 cases) the method proved sensitive and specific, except in cases of partial rupture. Ultrasound made it possible to distinguish between extrinsically developed palmar masses (8 cases) and masses involving the tendons (4 cases). A fluid collection inside the tendon sheath was detected in 5 cases of tenosynovitis, without false-positive results. The post-operative follow-up of surgically treated tendons (2 cases) was easier with ultrasound.