High-sensitivity power Doppler imaging of normal superficial lymph nodes.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to describe the various patterns of vascularity of the normal superficial lymph nodes detected using high-sensitivity power Doppler imaging according to the dimension and anatomic location of the nodes.


METHODS
A total of 712 lymph nodes (416 in the neck, 205 in the groin, and 91 in the axilla) were studied in 118 patients with high-sensitivity Power doppler. Three categories of vascularity were defined: absence of vascularity (type 1), hilar and perihilar vascularity (type 2), and vascularity in the entire node (type 3). The 3 types of vascularity were correlated with the anatomic location and the dimension (maximum transverse diameter) of the nodes.


RESULTS
Type 3 vascularity was found in all lymph nodes with a maximum transverse diameter > 6 mm, in the 67.9% (133/196) of lymph nodes between 4 and 6 mm in diameter, and in 45.7% (42/92) of lymph nodes between 2 and 4 mm in diameter. In lymph nodes with transverse diameters of 2-6 mm, type 3 vascularity was detected in 80.7% (46/57) of the axillary nodes, in 69.0% (87/126) of the inguinal nodes, and in 40.0% (42/105) of the cervical nodes. Type 2 vascularity was seen in 14.2% (101/712) of all examined lymph nodes. The absence of vascularity (type 1) was noted in only 1.9% (8/416) of cervical and 2.0% (4/205) of inguinal nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
State-of-the-art power Doppler equipment can demonstrate type 3 vascularity in a high percentage of normal superficial lymph nodes. This pattern of intense, extensive-but harmonious-vascularity must be considered as an indicator of benignity.
Stramare
Roberto
R
Department of Medical and Diagnostic Sciences and Special Therapies, Radiology, University of Padua, Via Giustiani 2, Padua, Italy.
Tregnaghi
Alberto
A
Fittà
Claudio
C
Torraco
Antonio
A
Khadivi
Yeaganeh
Y
Rossi
C R
CR
Rubaltelli
Leopoldo
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler