title: Vascular patterns in superficial lymphomatous lymph nodes: A detailed sonographic analysis().
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the vascular patterns found in superficial lymph nodes with histologically confirmed lymphomatous involvement and to determine their value in the sonographic diagnosis of lymphadenopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved the prospective classification of vascular patterns observed during power Doppler and/or color Doppler studies of superficial lymph nodes scheduled for resection. Forty patients (27 men and 13 women, aged 22-84 years; mean age: 58 years) with pathologically proven lymphoma were selected for this study (26 cervical, 13 axillary and 1 inguinal).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A longitudinal vessel with or without branches (pattern I) was found in 14 lymphomatous nodes. Six contained short vessel segments distributed in the hilum area or centrally (pattern II), five had multiple vessels, partially branching, entering the node in a few rows from its longitudinal side (pattern III), seven presented multiple vessels that branched irregularly or chaotically with avascular areas (pattern IV), and eight had a peripheral vessel distribution (pattern V). Therefore, 50% of the lymphomatous nodes had vascular patterns regarded as characteristic of reactive lymph nodes (patterns I and II), and 37.5% had patterns normally described in lymph nodes with metastatic involvement (patterns IV and V); other lymphomatous lymph nodes had ambiguous vascular patterns that have not been previously classified (pattern III).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The angioarchitecture of superficial lymphomatous lymph nodes varies widely and is difficult to classify. It may resemble that reported in normal or reactive lymph nodes or patterns that are associated with metastases. The finding of a normal or benign vascular pattern in a lymph node with suspected lymphomatous involvement does not eliminate the need for a diagnostic biopsy.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Bialek
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Jakubowski
authors: A B
authors: AB
authors: Szczepanik
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Maryniak
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Prochorec-Sobieszek
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Bilski
authors: K T
authors: KT
authors: Szopinski
keywords: Lymph nodes; Lymphoma; Power Doppler; Ultrasound; Vessel pattern
references: Acta Radiol. 2001 May;42(3):312-9
references: 11350291
references: Ultrasound Med Biol. 2004 Apr;30(4):441-7
references: 15121245
references: Radiology. 2000 May;215(2):568-73
references: 10796941
references: Cancer. 1998 Sep 15;83(6):1189-96
references: 9740085
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994 Apr;162(4):965-8
references: 8141027
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997 May;168(5):1311-6
references: 9129432
references: Eur J Cancer. 1990;26(7):827-30
references: 2145905
references: Radiology. 1998 Jul;208(1):117-23
references: 9646801
references: Arch Dermatol. 2005 Feb;141(2):183-9
references: 15724014
references: J Ultrasound Med. 2004 Jun;23(6):829-36
references: 15244307
references: Radiol Clin North Am. 2000 Sep;38(5):1029-45
references: 11054967
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998 Aug;171(2):503-9
references: 9694484
references: J Ultrasound Med. 1998 Jul;17(7):459-64
references: 9669305
references: Clin Radiol. 2003 May;58(5):351-8
references: 12727162
references: Radiologe. 1987 Mar;27(3):118-22
references: 3295982
references: Clin Radiol. 2001 Mar;56(3):197-201
references: 11247696
references: Eur Radiol. 2005 Jun;15(6):1215-23
references: 15690206
references: J Clin Ultrasound. 1997 Feb;25(2):71-6
references: 9023694
references: J Ultrasound Med. 2002 Apr;21(4):403-8
references: 11934097