ULTRASOUND OF THE POPLITEAL FOSSA

Sonography of the knee is a well-established method for the diagnosis of palpable tumors. However, evaluation of the menisci, cruciate ligam ents, and hyaline cartilage is controversial. Despite the variable ech ogenicity and extension of different diseases, many distinct sonograph ic signs are different in cysts, solid neoplasms, and vascular disease s. The investigator must be familiar with various patterns of poplitea l cyst formation: crescent-shaped, cross-shaped, slitlike, and grape-l ike cysts. Because of diagnostic and economic reasons the following co ncept should provide guidance when diagnosing lesions of the popliteal fossa: the first step of diagnostic imaging should include plain film radiography and sonography. In a second step MRI and/or arthroscopy s hould be performed.