UNASSIGNED: The preoperative differentiation of benign form malignant cervical lymphadenopathy (CLA) is crucial in determining the need for surgical intervention. This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US), fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and their combination with the postoperative histopathological diagnoses of CLA.
UNASSIGNED: In a retrospective study between April 2021 and May 2023, 214 patients with CLA were assessed with preoperative US and FNAC. The morphological parameters, including tissue margins, vascularity, and fatty hilum echogenicity, were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The diagnostic efficacies of US, FNAC, and their combined use were compared to the postoperative histopathological findings.
UNASSIGNED: In the final histopathological examination, 185 cases (86.4%) were found to be benign, while 29 cases (13.6%) were determined to be malignant. The US features of fatty hilum, echogenicity, and vascularity pattern had the highest diagnostic accuracy in characterizing CLA patterns, with values of 88.3%, 85.5%, and 85.0%, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.883 (95% CI: 0.832-0.923; P<0.0001) for the combined use of all US parameters with better sensitivity (93.10%) and specificity (68.65%) than individual parameters. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAC were 97.3%, 82.8%, and 95.3%, respectively. Additionally, US parameters and FNAC together showed a significantly higher AUC value of 0.924 (95% CI: 0.880-0.956; P<0.0001) and achieved a sensitivity of 86.21% and specificity of 88.65%.
UNASSIGNED: The combined use of US and FNAC provides high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in characterizing CLA patterns. In limited-resources settings, this approach is feasible, less invasive, and cost-effective, thereby enabling clear management strategies and avoiding additional surgical interventions.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging for primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes in patients with tonsil cancer.
METHODS: Twenty-one tonsil cancer patients who underwent [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT scans within two weeks in our centre were retrospectively enrolled. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of the two tracers were compared by using the Mann‒Whitney U test. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the two methods for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes were analysed.
RESULTS: In detecting primary lesions, the efficiency was higher for [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT (20/22) than for [18F]FDG PET/CT (9/22). Although [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 uptake (SUVmax, 5.03 ± 4.06) was lower than [18F]FDG uptake (SUVmax, 7.90 ± 4.84, P = 0.006), [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 improved the distinction between the primary tumor and contralateral normal tonsillar tissue. The TBR was significantly higher for [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT (3.19 ± 2.06) than for [18F]FDG PET/CT (1.89 ± 1.80) (p < 0.001). In lymph node analysis, SUVmax and TBR were not significantly different between [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT (7.67 ± 5.88 vs. 8.36 ± 6.15, P = 0.498 and 5.56 ± 4.02 vs. 4.26 ± 3.16, P = 0.123, respectively). The specificity and accuracy of [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT were higher than those of [18F]FDG PET/CT in diagnosing metastatic cervical lymph nodes (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The availability of [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 complements the diagnostic results of [18F]FDG by improving the detection rate of primary lesions and the diagnostic accuracy of cervical metastatic lymph nodes in tonsil cancer compared to [18F]FDG.

Cervical lymphadenopathy as the initial presentation of metastatic prostate cancer is particularly uncommon, and easily misdiagnosed. In the current study, we describe five cases of metastatic prostate cancer in our hospital that presented with cervical lymphadenopathy as an initial symptom. The diagnosis was confirmed by needle biopsy of the suspicious lymph nodes and the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels of all patients exceeded 100 ng/ml. The five patients were treated with hormonal therapy; four received traditional hormonal therapy, including bicalutamide and goserelin; one patient received hormonal therapy that included abiraterone and goserelin. Case 1 developed into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after 7 months and died after 12 months. Case 2 rejected regular hormonal therapy for personal reasons and died 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Case 3 was still alive at the time of writing. Case 4 was administered with abiraterone, prednisolone and goserelin; the treatment was effective and the patient has remained symptom-free for the last 24 months. Case 5 was treated with hormonal and chemotherapy but died 8 months after diagnosis. In conclusion, any elderly male presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy should be considered the possibility of prostate cancer, especially when the needle biopsy reveals adenocarcinoma. The prognosis for patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy as the initial presentation is usually poor. Hormone therapy based on abiraterone may yield a better response in such cases.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective analysis of 209 patients with PTC who underwent primary surgery at the Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from November 2014 to November 2018 was performed. The patients were divided into the LLNM group and the non-LLNM group. The clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients were analysed. The risk factors for LLNM were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses.
UNASSIGNED: The incidence of LLNM was 13.4% in PTC patients. Univariate analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm (P < 0.001), bilateral primary tumour (P = 0.020), extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (P < 0.001), central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) (P < 0.001), and CLNM number ≥ 5 (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with LLNM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm, ETE, and CLNM were independent risk factors for LLNM (OR values were 3.880, 5.202, and 4.474, respectively). There were 6 patients with skip lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, accounting for 21% of all LLNM patients.
UNASSIGNED: This study revealed several independent risk factors for predicting LLNM in PTC patients, such as the maximum diameter of the primary tumour > 2 cm, ETE and CLNM. Lateral neck dissection may be recommended in PTC patients with those risk factors. Paying attention to the occurrence of skip lateral cervical lymph node metastasis during the clinical diagnosis and treatment processes is necessary.

OBJECTIVE:  To prospectively estimate the reliability of B-mode ultrasonography and sonoelastography in differentiating benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes with cytological findings as to the reference standard.
METHODS: A total of 50 patients referred for sonography for enlarged cervical lymph nodes were included in the study. They were subjected initially to B-mode ultrasonography and sonoelastography and later underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the same sitting. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared.
RESULTS: Out of 50 cases, 33 were males, and 17 were females. On B-mode ultrasonography, 15 enlarged cervical lymph nodes were benign-looking and 35 were malignant-looking. When studied on elastography, 12 were benign-looking and 38 showed features of malignancy. However, when studied histopathologically, 18 were benign and 32 were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were compared, and the results were better in sonoelastography than B-mode ultrasonography. When both B-mode and sonoelastography were combined, an increase in the sensitivity for differentiation was achieved. However, a decrease in specificity was noted when both modalities were combined in our study, probably due to a significant number of patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy.
CONCLUSIONS: In countries like India, where granulomatous infection like tuberculosis is prevalent, the combination of sonoelastography with B-mode ultrasonography has decreased specificity in the differentiation of benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes, and histopathology is always needed for the final confirmation of diagnosis. The decreased specificity on elastography is attributed to simultaneous coexisting inflammation and fibrosis in chronic granulomatous lymphadenopathy.

UNASSIGNED: Oral cancer is the most frequent type of cancer of the head and neck area, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most common single entity. Worldwide, oral cancer accounts for 2%-4% of all cancer cases, the prevalence being highest in India. Lymph node metastases occur in about 40% of patients with oral cancer. Clinically, their manifestations are hidden in rates of 15% to 34%. More accurate imaging techniques can reduce the risk of undiagnosed metastasis. Ultrasonography has gained wide acceptance as a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of reactive and metastatic lymph nodes. The present study is an attempt to assess the earliest evaluation of the cervical lymph nodes by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
UNASSIGNED: A descriptive diagnostic evaluation study was carried out to find out the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound-guided FNAC in detecting metastasis to cervical lymph nodes from oral SCC in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with the Department of Imageology, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram during the time period from July 2015 to September 2016.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 112 patients with histologically proven oral SCC having palpable lymph nodes were evaluated clinically and ultrasonographically. In this study, sensitivity and specificity of >90% were obtained for ultrasonographic criteria such as the long axis to short axis ratio <2, the absence of hilum, heterogeneous architecture, and altered vascularity in the evaluation of metastatic lymph nodes. The diagnostic yield in the detection of metastatic lymph nodes was much higher in the ultrasonographic examination.
UNASSIGNED: Ultrasound-guided FNAC offers an opportunity to enhance patient prognosis through early detection and a specific diagnosis (92.5%) when compared to clinical examination (78.6%) in the current study.

Purpose: To investigate N-staging Assessment of pretreatment Shear wave elastrography (SWE) in small cervical lymph nodes (0. 5 cm ≤ maximum diameter < 1 cm, intact capsule, no central necrosis, sCLNs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods: Pathological biopsy proven 28 NPC patients with sCLNs shown in pretreatment magnetic resonance (MR) images and 40 target lymph nodes were enrolled. All target lymph nodes were divided into metastasis and benign lymph node groups according to pathology. SWE was used to exam the real time SWE imaging of each target lymph nodes before conducting ultrasonography guided fine needle biopsy. The minimum (Emin), maximum (Emax), and mean (Emean) elasticity indices (kPa) of target lymph nodes were recorded. The SWE examination was repeated three times for the same target lymph node and each elasticity indices for statistic was determined by average of three measurements. SPSS 21.0 statistics software is used for statistical analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to obtain the cutoff value of elasticity indices of metastatic sCLNs. Statistical significance was assumed when the P < 0.05. Results: Nine lymph nodes were metastatic and 31 were benign. The Emin, Emax, and Emean of benign group were 8.15 ± 6.12, 25.05 ± 12.37, and 16.05 ± 8.29 kPa, respectively; Emin, Emax, and Emean of metastasis group were 11.5 ± 6.17, 41.38 ± 17.87, and 23.48 ± 6.50 kPa, respectively. The difference of the Emax and Emean between metastasis and benign group were statistically significant (P = 0.003 and 0.018). The area under the ROC curve of Emin, Emax, and Emean of metastasis lymph node were 0.685 (P = 0.095), 0.785 (P = 0.010), and 0.765 (P = 0.017), respectively. Emax of 27 kPa and Emean of 17 kPa were taken as the cutoff value of diagnosis for metastasis sCLNs: the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 77.8 and 100%, 71.0 and 61.3%, 75.0 and 70.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Pretreatment SWE has high accuracy in evaluating the sCLNs in NPC patients and is helpful for accurate N-staging and survival prognosis. It can be used as a clinical supplementary examination.

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymph nodes are the first drainage stations of the brain and therefore play a key role in neuroinflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by using ultrasound imaging, cervical lymph nodes in patients with multiple sclerosis and to ascertain if such patients have any clinical features to attest their role.
METHODS: We enrolled 43 patients affected by relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (22 drug free and 21 under treatment with natalizumab or fingolimod), who underwent ultrasound examination. The morphology, diameters and volume of cervical lymph nodes were measured. We evaluated also a control group of 20 healthy volunteers.
RESULTS: Between-group comparisons showed that the mean anteroposterior diameters in the cervical lymph nodes on both sides of the neck were significantly different (χ 2 = 19.5, p < 0.001 for right; χ 2 = 20.0, p < 0.001 for left). Post hoc contrasts showed that the mean anteroposterior diameters were greater both in drug-naive (mean ± SD 0.66 ± 0.20 cm; p < 0.001) and treated patients (0.55 ± 0.24 cm; p < 0.001) compared to healthy individuals (0.36 ± 0.19 cm). Moreover, significant difference (p < 0.001) was shown on comparing the mean volume of the cervical lymph nodes on both sides of the neck in the studied groups. No significant differences emerged between the drug-free and treated patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The abnormalities shown by ultrasound in cervical lymph nodes are related to deep ones and independent of the ongoing treatment, suggesting a relationship between lymphatic drainage and disease pathology.

Cervical lymphadenopathy is one of the commonest presenting complaint of patient in ENT OPD Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is one of the most reliable, less expensive, and basic diagnostic procedure for the definitive and conclusive diagnosis for the immune system which reciprocates in the form of enlarged lymph nodes. A study was conducted in ENT Department of Santosh Medical College, Ghazibad from August 2015 to May 2016 on 64 patients with enlarged cervical lymph nodes. FNAC was done to make the diagnosis. Out of 64 patients (51.5 %) was reactive non-specific, 28 % tubercular, 3.1 % lymphoma and 17 % were malignant. FNAC is one of the most dependable diagnostic tools in case of cervical lymphadenopathy for early diagnosis and detection for the better management.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography for the differential diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes.
METHODS: Virtual touch tissue imaging (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) was analyzed in 81 patients (mean age, 46.6 years; range, 5-82 years) with 81 lymph nodes (45 metastatic nodes and 36 benign nodes).
RESULTS: Most benign lymph nodes were slightly darker or the same in brightness compared with surrounding tissue, whereas most metastatic nodes were obviously darker. The mean area ratio of benign lymph nodes ± SD (1.05 ± 0.15) was statistically lower than the mean area ratio of metastatic lymph nodes (1.39 ± 0.20; P < 0.001). The area ration cutoff level for metastatic lymph nodes was estimated to be 1.16. With the use of a receiver operating characteristic curve with this cutoff value, the area ratio predicted malignancy with sensitivity of 91.1%, specificity of 83.3%, and an area under the curve of 0.925.
CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging is feasible for cervical lymph nodes. The Virtual Touch tissue imaging technique can complement conventional sonography, thereby making it easier to diagnose cervical lymph nodes.