In malignant splenic pathology, which ultrasound finding is listed as most common?

In malignant splenic pathology, which ultrasound finding is listed as most common?

• A. Hyperechoic
• B. Hypoechoic
• C. Anechoic
• D. Isoechoic

Answer: (B)

Malignant splenic disease often disrupts the normal, homogeneous spleen and tends to appear darker on ultrasound because the malignant tissue is denser and less organized than the surrounding parenchyma. This relative darkness, or lower echogenicity, is described as hypoechoic. Metastases and lymphomatous involvement commonly present as hypoechoic nodules or diffuse hypoechoic infiltration, making hypoechoic the typical pattern for malignant lesions. In contrast, simple cysts are anechoic, benign lipomatous or vascular lesions can be hyperechoic, and isoechoic lesions blend with normal tissue and are harder to detect; they do not represent the most characteristic malignant pattern.

Malignant splenic disease often disrupts the normal, homogeneous spleen and tends to appear darker on ultrasound because the malignant tissue is denser and less organized than the surrounding parenchyma. This relative darkness, or lower echogenicity, is described as hypoechoic. Metastases and lymphomatous involvement commonly present as hypoechoic nodules or diffuse hypoechoic infiltration, making hypoechoic the typical pattern for malignant lesions. In contrast, simple cysts are anechoic, benign lipomatous or vascular lesions can be hyperechoic, and isoechoic lesions blend with normal tissue and are harder to detect; they do not represent the most characteristic malignant pattern.