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Hayashi T. Jpn Dent Sci Rev 2011; doi: 10.1016/j.jdsr.2011.05.001

To date, the use of ultrasonography (US) in dentistry has been restricted largely to the diagnosis of major salivary gland disease and cervical lymph node metatases. However, with the adoption of high-resolution equipment and the newly developed US-elastography, the role of US is being extended. Ultrasonography-elastography quantifies the amount of deformation of a tissue in response to an external force. It has been used to diagnose breast cancer and can be used to identify early lymph node metastases. For the latter, it may be appropriate to carry out monthly monitoring with US. It is also asserted that US should be used routinely in tongue carcinoma to evaluate the depth of invasion. Ultrasonography can also provide information about the size of a periradicular radiolucency, but only if there is loss of the cortical bone; is this application one too far?