Cervical Lymph Nodes

Abstract

Owing to the lymphatic richness of the cervical region (cf. Chap.l), one or more enlarged lymph nodes are commonly present in both inflammatory and tumoral pathologies. The indications and shortcomings of ultrasound (US) for thyroid, parathyroid, and salivary gland investigations have been recognized for some time. By contrast, the value of sonographic studies for exploration of the cervical lymph nodes has only been established recently, as a consequence of the more widespread availability of high resolution, real-time US equipment. A decade ago, analyses of the comparative value of clinical and surgical findings commonly pointed out the insufficiency of physical examination, and emphasized the need for surgical dissection, especially for ENT cancer patients (Jesse and Fletcher 1963; MacGavran et al. 1961; Manfredi and Jacobelli 1975; Martis et al. 1979; Mustard and Rosen 1963; Sako et al. 1964). Currently, the emphasis in reports has shifted to the utility of ultrasound for both disease staging and follow–up of patients with head and neck cancer or lymphoma.