The ability of ultrasound to detect patency of at least one fallopian tube by demonstrating free fluid in the cul-de-sac was evaluated in 35 infertile women. The results were compared with conventional hysterosalpingograms, which had been obtained simultaneously. Ultrasound demonstrated bilateral occlusion with a sensitivity of 100%, and showed tubal patency with a specificity of 96%. The ability to diagnose tubal occlusion or patency using this ultrasound technique, which the authors have designated "sonosalpingography," eliminates unnecessary exposure of the female pelvis to ionizing radiation and avoids the use of iodinated contrast material.

Eight scrotal masses which appeared homogeneously hyperechoic on ultrasound were studied; 5 were testicular and 3 were extratesticular. Pathologically, there was no evidence of malignancy, and most lesions consisted of scar tissue or fibrosis. Two benign adenomatoid tumors were encountered. In this series, a homogeneously hyperechoic scrotal lesion was benign regardless of its location.

A wide variety of in vitro tests

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was widely prescribed to pregnant women from 1940 to 1960. This resulted in multiple benign abnormalities of the genital tract and occasional malignant transformation in women who had been exposed to DES in utero. Over 300 cases of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina have been described to date. In this study, 18 DES-exposed women and 20 normal age-matched controls were studied with ultrasound. An estimated uterine volume of 49.4 cm3 +/- 25.5 SD was found in the exposed subjects, compared with 90 cm3 +/- 22 SD in the normal subjects. Three out of 18 women (16%) had a T-shaped uterus. Ultrasound can detect some of the uterine abnormalities which occur due to DES exposure.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are nonspecific and are common in the elderly, who are at risk for pancreatic cancer. Ultrasound is an economic means for screening such individuals. This report describes a prospective study of the efficacy of ultrasound in 83 patients with symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Scanning techniques, which resulted in visualization of the head, neck, and body of the pancreas in 90% of the patients scanned, are reviewed. A sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 99% were achieved. Small defects in the parenchyma may be seen with ultrasound before there are any changes in the size or contour of the organ.