[Rosai-Dorfman lymphadenopathy, a rare reactive lymphoproliferative disease. How valid are ultrasound morphologic criteria in lymph node involvement?].
OBJECTIVE
The established criteria for benignity or malignancy of lymph nodes when evaluated with B-mode ultrasound can be divided into quantitative measures (size, quantity, contour and density) and qualitative parameters (configuration and structure). The validity of these criteria is controversial.


METHODS
Two cases of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) are presented; this is a rare benign reactive disorder in which massive enlargement of cervical lymph nodes often occurs. These enlarged nodes offer a chance to demonstrate and discuss the validity of the sonomorphological criteria.


RESULTS
The enlarged lymph nodes in SHML fulfill most of the criteria for malignancy. The same results are meet in other disorders with prominent but benign lymphadenopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The current ultrasonic criteria to determine benignity/malignancy in lymph nodes most likely simply indicate a large number of enlarged nodes. Pathologic diagnosis remains the gold standard.
Grötz
K A
KA
Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Klinikum der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Kuffner
H D
HD
Ekert
O
O
Gutjahr
P
P
Coerdt
W
W
Wagner
W
W
D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015618:Histiocytosis, Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography