title: The role of CEUS in characterization of superficial lymph nodes: a single center prospective study.
abstract: Accurate lymph node characterization is important in a large number of clinical settings. We evaluated the usefulness of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes compared with conventional ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy.We present our experience for 111 patients enrolled in a single center.111 superficial lymph nodes were selected and only 1 lymph node per patient underwent CEUS. A definitive diagnosis for all lymph nodes was obtained by ultrasonographically guided biopsy and/or excision biopsy.The size of the lymph nodes, the site (neck, axilla, inguinal region) being easily accessible for biopsy, and the US and color Doppler US characteristics guided us in selecting the nodes to be evaluated by CEUS.In our study we identified different enhancement patterns in benign and malignant lymph nodes, with a high degree of diagnostic accuracy for superficial lymphadenopathy in comparison with conventional US.
authors.affiliation: UOC Malattie Infettive ad Indrizzo Ecointerventistico -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Stefano
authors.affiliation: UOC Malattie Infettive ad Indrizzo Ecointerventistico -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Scognamiglio
authors.affiliation: UOC Infezioni Sistemiche e dell' Immunodepresso -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Martino
authors.affiliation: UOC Malattie Infettive ad Indirizzo Respiratorio -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parrella
authors.affiliation: UOC Malattie Infettive ad Indirizzo Respiratorio -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarano
authors.affiliation: SUN Napoli- Dipartimento Salute Mentale, Servizio Statistica Medica, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Signoriello
authors.affiliation: UOC Malattie Infettive ad Indrizzo Ecointerventistico -AORN dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nunzia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Farella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000072281:Lymphadenopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: CEUS; contras enhanced ultrasound; lymph nodes; metastases