Suture granulomas: Sonography enables a correct preoperative diagnosis

The purpose of this study was to examine if suture granulomas display disti nct sonographic signs and if these signs enable an accurate preoperative di agnosis. In a retrospective and prospective study, the sonographic findings of 22 consecutive suture granulomas were investigated and correlated with subsequent operative results. The sonographic appearance of various surgica l sutures in a water bath was also investigated. Sonography was performed w ith commercially available 5- to 13-MHz linear transducers. The sonographic findings of the suture granulomas included hypoechoic lesions in all cases and hyperechoic double or single lines within the hypoechoic lesions in 20 of 22 cases, Sonography enabled the correct preoperative diagnosis for the investigating radiologists in 20 cases. The sonographic appearance of sutu res in a water bath was that of hyperechoic double or single lines. The son ographic signs of suture granulomas (hyperechoic double or single lines wit hin hypoechoic lesions) indicate the correct preoperative diagnosis in a hi gh percentage of cases. (C) 2001 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicin e & Biology.