To evaluate changes in echotexture of normal tendons at different frequencies and establish an anatomic correlation for fibrillar echoes, normal calcaneal tendons were examined in vitro at 7.5, 10, 13, and 15 MHz in calves (n = 8) and sheep (n = 6) and in vivo in humans (n = 8). Histologic correlation was obtained in vitro with 22-gauge needles that marked the position of echogenic fibrils under ultrasound (US) guidance. The human study group consisted of 25 patients with a clinical diagnosis of calcaneal tendon disease and 15 patients who underwent surgery for rupture of the Achilles tendon. At all four frequencies, normal tendons showed an internal network of fine parallel and linear fibrillar echoes that became more numerous and thinner as US frequency increased. These echoes were caused by specular reflections at the interface between collagen bundles and endotendineum septa. In patients, tendons showed a variety of basic changes in fibrillar pattern: increased fibrillar thickness (33 patients), interruption (17 patients), fragmentation (12 patients), and disappearance of echotexture (15 patients). It is concluded that US holds promise in detection of minimal changes in tendinous structure.

Transrectal color Doppler US can depict the vascular anatomy of the prostate gland. Knowledge of the normal vascular appearance of the gland should aid in the differentiation of normal from abnormal findings.

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• A slow enhancement with plateau is observed either on CT or MRI. • High T2 signal components but low apparent coefficient diffusion are evocative. • T2-weighted imaging features depend on the mucin components of the tumour.