'Pseudocystic' appearance of non-Hodgkin's lymphomatous nodes: an infrequent finding with high-resolution transducers.
OBJECTIVE
A pseudo-cystic appearance and posterior enhancement are previously reported to be diagnostic sonographic features of lymph node involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This study was undertaken to determine whether these ultrasonic features remain with the use of high-resolution transducers.


METHODS
A review of ultrasound examinations in 32 patients with proven lymphomatous cervical lymphadenopathy (27 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, five Hodgkin's disease) was performed. A total of 95 lymph nodes were assessed for size, shape, posterior enhancement and internal architecture. All examinations were performed with the same high-resolution transducer and by the same sonologist.


RESULTS
Lymphomatous nodes (irrespective of type) are frequently heterogeneous (68-86%), have a micronodular pattern (63-69%) and less commonly demonstrate posterior enhancement (9-26%).


CONCLUSIONS
Using a high-resolution ultrasonic transducer, cervical nodes involved with lymphoma (irrespective of type) commonly demonstrate a heterogeneous micronodular pattern. The pseudocystic appearance of nodes with posterior enhancement in non-Hodgkin's nodes is seen infrequently.
Ahuja
A T
AT
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong. aniltahuja@cuhk.edu.hk
Ying
M
M
Yuen
H Y
HY
Metreweli
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation