Ultrasonography.  2015 Jul;34(3):157-164. 10.14366/usg.15007.

Ultrasound elastography for evaluation of cervical lymph nodes

• Choi YJ
• Lee JH
• Baek JH

• KMID: 2382127
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14366/usg.15007

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) elastography has been introduced as a noninvasive imaging technique for evaluating cervical lymph nodes. US elastography techniques include strain elastography and shear wave-based elastography. The application of this technique is based on the fact that stiff tissues tend to deform less and show less strain than compliant tissues when the same force is applied. In general, metastatic lymph nodes demonstrate higher stiffness than benign lymph nodes. Overall, preliminary studies suggest that US elastography may be useful in differentiating benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes, thereby informing decisions to perform a biopsy and facilitating follow-up. For US elastography to be accepted into clinical practice, however, its techniques, associated diagnostic criteria, and reliability need to be further refined.

Keyword

Lymph nodes; Neck; Elasticity imaging techniques; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Lymph Nodes*
Neck
Ultrasonography*