Abstract
Operative ultrasonography was performed in 9 operations for lung cancer in which preoperative imaging studies such as CT and angiography were indeterminate in assessing cardiovascular invasion of tumor.
In 8 of 9 operations, operative ultrasonography prior to tissue dissection correctly diagnosed the presence or absense and the extent of cancer invasion to the cardio-vascular system, including the pulmonary artery and vein and their branches, vena cava, aorta, and atrium. This new technique is useful to evaluate cardiovascular invasion of lung cancer and thus to decide on the operative procedure and also to reduce unnecessary tissue dissection.
