Ultrasound in the diagnosis of a palpable abdominal mass. A prospective study of 107 patients.

In 107 consecutive patients referred to the ultrasound laboratory for investigation of a palpable abdominal mass, the examination was performed without knowledge of clinical history, laboratory findings, or the results of other examinations. In 101 of the patients the correct diagnosis was subsequently verified, and 29 different ultrasonic diagnoses were reached. In 98 (97%) of the patients the ultrasonic diagnoses were correct. Two uterine leiomyomas were erroneously diagnosed as ovarian in origin, and a massive adrenal carcinoma was misdiagnosed as a hepatic tumor. It is suggested that ultrasonic scanning is the method of choice in evaluating patients with a palpable abdominal mass.