Evaluation of ultrasonographic findings in adults with cervical lymphadenopathy

Background and aim: It is very important to distinguish benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes and to make an early diagnosis in terms of treatment and prognosis. Ultrasonography (USG) provides an idea in the diagnosis of reactive or non-reactive lymph nodes but also provides benefits in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign. It is easily accessible, has high-resolution probes, is inexpensive, does not contain radiation, and serves as a guide in aspiration biopsy when necessary. Although fineneedle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in evaluating cervical lymph nodes, in 20% of patients it may give an ambiguous report that does not contribute to treatment. In this study, ultrasonographic findings of patients with cervical LAP diagnosed with FNAC were evaluated. The value of ultrasonographic examination in diagnosing diseases was emphasized. Materials and methods: In this study, ultrasonographic findings of 178 patients diagnosed with cervical lymphadenopathy by performing FNAC were examined. Ultrasonographic findings, shape, echogenic hilum, nodal matting, L/S ratio and intranodal necrosis characteristics of cervical nodes were evaluated and compared with FNAC diagnoses. Results: It was found statistically significant between a reactive node and ultrasonographic oval shape, metastasis and L/S ratio, presence of echogenic hilus and reactive node, nodal matting finding and tuberculosis (p<0.05). Although the presence of necrosis was detected at a higher rate in metastasis and tuberculosis than lymphoma and reactive node, it was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is thought that B-mode ultrasonography, which has high specificity and sensitivity, is a successful imaging method and can be used frequently in the differential diagnosis of diseases in all patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy. In this way, unnecessary biopsy, excision and further examination examinations are prevented.