Interventional Procedures in Superficial Lesions: The Value of 2D with Additional Coronal Reformatted 4D Ultrasonography Guidance

Objective: We wanted to assess the usefulness of four-dimensional (40) ultrasonography (US), i.e., real-time three-dimensional US, as an adjunct for performing various US-guided interventional procedures in superficial lesions. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three patients were referred for US-guided interventional procedures for superficial lesions, including core biopsy in 19, fine-needle aspiration in eight, therapeutic drug injection in four and needle puncture in two. The procedures were performed under 40 US guidance. We reviewed the pathologic/cytologic results of the core biopsies or needle aspirations, and also the outcomes of drug injection or needle puncture. Results: For all the patients who underwent 40 US-guided core biopsy, the specimens were adequate for making the pathological diagnosis, and specimens were successfully obtained for those patients who underwent 40 US-guided aspiration. The patients treated with 40 US-guided therapeutic drug injection or needle puncture had a good response. No major procedure-related complications occurred. The procedural times were similar to those procedural times with using two-dimensional US. Conclusion: Combining the two dimensional and 40 US techniques aids the physician when performing US-guided interventional procedures for the superficial lesions.