title: Applications of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of soft tissue swellings of the cervicofacial region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and prediction values of ultrasound as a means of diagnosis of cervico-facial soft tissue swellings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out ultrasonographic evaluation of 76 consecutive cases of cervico-facial soft tissue swellings that presented at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria from August 2002 to November 2003. The patients' demographics and relevant clinical information were obtained. Ultrasonographic evaluation was done using the B-mode transcutaneous ultrasonic imaging device with a transducer frequency of 5MHz. All the lesions were subjected to histopathological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 43(56.6%) males and 33(43.4%) females whose ages ranged from 2 weeks to 70 years (mean +/- SD; 22 +/- 19.7 years). Histologically, tumours constituted the highest percentage of swellings (35.5%), followed by cysts (26.3%). Males were more predominant in all classes of swellings except benign tumours. The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was 80% and 100% for both adenocarcinoma and hemangioma. It was also 100% for majority of the cysts and HIV associated salivary gland swellings. The sensitivity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was 80% and 100% for adenocarcinoma, hemangioma, all the cysts and HIV associated swellings. Ultrasound was also 100% specific in the diagnosis of monomorphic adenoma and hemangioma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for cervicofacial soft tissue swellings. The accuracy of diagnosis is enhanced by the characteristics of the probe and the experience of the sonologist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Akinbami
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Ugboko
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Owotade
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Obiechina
authors.forename: V O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Adetiloye
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ayoola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography