title: Ultrasonographic differentiation between tuberculous lymphadenitis and malignant lymph nodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis versus malignant lymph nodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasonography of cervical lymph nodes was performed with a real-time linear scanner using a 7.5- or 11-MHz probe or both. Ultrasonographic findings were retrospectively reviewed in 73 patients: 49 with malignant lymphoma, 15 with tuberculous lymphadenitis, and 9 with metastatic lymph nodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonographic features specific to cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were strong echoes (33.3%) and an echogenic thin layer (86.7%). When the lymph nodes had at least 1 of these 2 features, tuberculous lymphadenitis was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonographic evaluation of cervical lymph nodes can be useful in the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Tokai University Hospital, Isehara, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asai
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyachi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimamura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ando
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography