[The value of ultrasound examination for assessing the lymph nodes of the neck in the follow-up of patients surgically treated for laryngeal cancer].
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the superiority of ultrasound examination of the neck in comparison with palpation in patients operated on and irradiated because of the larynx cancer. Recurrence is common after laryngectomy, especially for advanced laryngeal cancer. Close ultrasound follow-up of patients after initial operation is essential to detect recurrence early, while surgical salvage is still feasible. Ultrasound also proved to help in the follow-up and control during radiation therapy. In this special group of patients nodal recurrence is more difficult to detect early by clinical examination because of scars and oedema due to prior surgery and radiotherapy. A group of 810 patients operated on between 1990 and 1995 was followed up by means of ultrasound. 3100 US examinations were performed in this group. 102 patients who developed nodal recurrence had surgical salvage. The follow-up of these patients lasted for 1-49 months. A comparison between patients with palpable lesions and lesions detected sonographically was performed regarding: size of the nodes, pattern of recurrence, possibility of performing radical surgery, time from the last control examination. Apart from demonstrating non-palpable nodes US may also depict the size, multiplicity, relation to the surrounding vessels and invasion of the carotid artery, as well as malignant extension in the salivary glands or thyroid.
Klinika Otolaryngologii Katedry Chorób Ucha, Nosa, Gardła i Krtani AM, Poznaniu.
M
M
Wierzbicka
Z
Z
Szmeja
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography