Ultrasound Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Vascular Malformations and Tumours

Soft tissue vascular malformations and tumours are a heterogeneous group of lesions. Some of them may only be transient, such as vascular birthmarks in newborns. In about one percent of children however a vascular soft tissue lesion needs further diagnostic work-up. Angiomateous lesions may even have a malignant potential and so an exact assessment is especially needed to define the prognosis of a lesion, as well as for planning of efficient treatment. Highresolution ultrasound (HR-US) together with Color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and spectral wave analysis (SWA) - at least as a first line modality - allow for an exact and reliable differentiation of such lesions in most cases. In addition HRUS is well tolerated and is suitable for follow-up assessment especially in children. Besides its diagnostic impact, HR-US is also well suited for guided interventional procedures. HR-US guided percutaneous sclerotherapy seems very promising in this context also with regard to other therapeutic options. In this review the diagnostic importance and value of HR-US are discussed in detail.