Imaging of head and neck lymph nodes

Laura B Eisenmenger; Richard H Wiggins 3rd

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2014.09.011

Imaging of head and neck lymph nodes

Radiol Clin North Am. 2015 Jan;53(1):115-32. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.09.011.

Authors

Laura B Eisenmenger¹, Richard H Wiggins 3rd²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA.
² Department of Radiology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA; Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA. Electronic address: Richard.Wiggins@hsc.utah.edu.

PMID: 25476176
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.09.011

Abstract

The cervical lymph nodes can be affected by a variety of infectious, inflammatory, benign, and malignant pathologic conditions. Clinical history and physical examination with the complementary use of imaging is essential to accurately make a diagnosis or appropriate differential. Knowledge of cervical lymph node anatomy, drainage pathways, morphologic variations, and common nodal pathology is key to correct interpretation of cervical lymph nodes on imaging. Computed tomography (CT), MR, ultrasound, and PET/CT are complementary imaging modalities that can be used in the evaluation of cervical lymph node pathology.

Keywords: CT; Cervical; Lymph nodes; MR; PET; PET/CT; SCCa.

MeSH terms

Diagnostic Imaging
Head / anatomy & histology*
Humans
Lymph Nodes / anatomy & histology*
Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
Lymph Nodes / pathology
Lymphatic Diseases / pathology*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Neck / anatomy & histology*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods