[Ultrasound characteristics of lateral cervical space-occupying lesions].
Sonography of the head and neck mainly focuses on tumours of the lateral neck. Even though most of these masses are enlarged lymph nodes, other tumors have to be considered.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether different pathological cervical masses display a characteristic sonographic morphology.


METHODS
On the basis of 530 sonographical findings in the neck, typical ultrasound characteristics either in B-scan or in colour coded sonography were demonstrated.


RESULTS
Apart from enlarged lymph nodes, it was possible to differentiate other occurrences such as branchial cysts, abscesses, laryngoceles, lipomas, neurinomas, glomus tumours, paragangliomas and also fibromas by their specific ultrasound appearance.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of characteristic ultrasound morphology allows the early detection of tumours and facilitates the distinction between benign and malignant lesions as well as malformations. Further diagnostic procedures and therapeutical strategies can therefore be planned more adequately.
Jecker
P
P
Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. jecker@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Maurer
J
J
Mann
W J
WJ
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001935:Branchioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color