What Does a Low-Echo Mass Mean?

There are many types of diseases, including tumors, cysts, polyps, and also lumps. Many people may find lumps in different parts of their bodies, and the specific nature of these lumps needs to be confirmed after further examination. Lumps are not very common, and some patients may receive a diagnosis of low-echo lump, but may not fully understand its meaning. So, what does a low-echo lump mean? Let's take a look.

A low-echo lump refers to a solid mass with a space-occupying effect on ultrasound. Its echo is lower than the surrounding tissue, but it cannot be determined whether it is benign or malignant. It could be an inflammatory lump, a malignant tumor, or a tuberculous change. Further examination is needed, such as enhanced MRI, enhanced CT, or ultrasound imaging, to determine its benign or malignant nature. If the nature still cannot be determined, a biopsy can be performed under ultrasound guidance to clarify the benign or malignant nature. If these methods still cannot determine the nature, surgical resection can be considered, with intraoperative pathology to clarify the nature and guide the next step of treatment.

There are many classification methods for lumps, which can be roughly divided into six types based on their nature.

2.1 Physiological Lumps are not true diseases but may be misdiagnosed as pathological lumps. For example, developed abdominal muscles, the spine or sacral promontory of thin individuals, and spontaneously spasming intestines may be misdiagnosed as pathological lumps. Even the abdominal aorta of those with loose or weak abdominal walls may be mistaken as a "pulsating lump".

2.2 Inflammatory Lumps are often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, local pain, and elevated white blood cell count. Examples include inflammatory masses around the appendix, mesenteric lymph node tuberculosis, and perirenal abscesses.

2.3 Tumorous Lumps are mostly solid masses. Malignant tumors are the majority and are characterized by rapid growth, anemia, weight loss, and cachexia in the late stages. Benign tumors have a longer history, are larger and smooth, and have a certain degree of mobility.

2.4 Cystic Lumps are usually round or oval, smooth, and have a fluctuating feel. Common examples include congenital polycystic liver, polycystic kidney, and urachal cysts; retained pancreatic cysts, hydronephrosis; tumorous ovarian cysts; inflammatory gallbladder effusion, hydrosalpinx, and encapsulated effusion; and parasitic hydatid cysts.

2.5 Obstructive Lumps can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, or constipation in the case of gastrointestinal obstructions. Obstructive lumps in the biliary tract may cause painless jaundice without fever, while obstructive lumps in the urinary system often cause lumbar pain.

2.6 Traumatic Lumps include splenic rupture hematomas in the left upper abdomen, pseudocysts of the pancreas in the upper abdomen, and retroperitoneal hematomas in the lower abdomen or pelvis.