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Ultrasound Investigations in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

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Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

The wide availability, inexpensiveness, and its nonionizing nature make ultrasound an ideal initial imaging investigation in patients with head and neck cancer. Its high sensitivity and specificity (when combined with a guided FNAC) makes it a useful tool for cervical lymph node ­staging and investigating thyroid and salivary gland tumors. Gray scale ultrasound evaluates the internal architecture and local extent of superficially located head and neck cancers and color Doppler examines the tumor vascularity. Advances in elastography and contrast ultrasound further enhance the diagnostic capability of ultrasound. In addition, following treatment of head and neck cancer, ultrasound is a useful and safe tool for disease surveillance and assessment of treatment response.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Anil T. Ahuja

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  1. Yolanda Y. P. Lee
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  2. K. T. Wong
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  3. Ann D. King
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Correspondence to Anil T. Ahuja .

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  1. , Dept of Radio-Oncology, Genolier Swiss Medical Network, 4 Route du Muids, Genolier, CH-1272, Switzerland

    Jacques Bernier

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Lee, Y.Y.P., Wong, K.T., King, A.D., Ahuja, A.T. (2011). Ultrasound Investigations in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. In: Bernier, J. (eds) Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9464-6_14

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