Sonography in identification of abdominal wall lesions presenting as palpable masses.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal wall lesions often present as palpable masses. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the sonographic appearances of different abdominal wall lesions.

METHODS: Patients were scanned with high-frequency (5- to 12-MHz) linear transducers. Extended or panoramic views were recorded often to show the lesion in perspective to adjacent structures in the abdominal wall.

RESULTS: The different layers of the abdominal wall could be clearly shown on high-frequency sonography, and the abdominal wall abnormalities were recognized in all the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Hernias are the most common abdominal wall lesions. Herniated bowel loops have variable appearances depending on their air-fluid content and degree of obstruction. Localized fluid collections in the abdominal wall (seromas, liquefying hematomas, and abscesses) can be well visualized. More infrequently, tumors or vascular lesions can be identified in the abdominal wall.