Acoustic Tissue Typing (ATT) by Sonocare (Sonovision, Computerized B-scan, STT 100).Our Experience and Results

Acoustic Tissue Typing (ATT) provides the possibility of distinguishing different types of tumors on the basis of spectral reflectance. Application of spectral analysis to ultrasound images has been fully investigated by Coleman who has also proven its validity. This method of “objective diagnosis” is no longer confined to the Cornell University laboratories since it has been incorporated to an ultrasound system which is now available on the market. The software program compares the frequency spectrum derived from the tumor being investigated with spectra of a data base related to the different types of tumors. This comparison leads to the estimation of a probability index for the specific lesion: spindle cell melanoma, epitheloid/mixed melanoma, hemangioma, or metastatic carcinoma. The authors present their experiences with this new method in the diagnosis of intraocular tumors.