Sonographic evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we evaluated the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of anterior cervical lymph (ACL) node disease.


METHODS
Three-hundred and sixty-six patients were included in the study. When ACL nodes were found, we noted the station(s) involved, the number, and the short and long axis of each. Patients had their thyroid investigated and were then divided into four groups: no sonographic signs of thyroid abnormality, already diagnosed autoimmune thyroiditis, probable new diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules.


RESULTS
ACL nodes were found in 127 out of 366 patients examined. The 127 patients with ACL nodes were classified into group 1 (2 patients), group 2 (97 patients), group 3 (23 patients), and group 4 (5 patients). The only differences were the presence and number of lymph nodes in the prelaryngeal and/or prethyroidal and/or pretracheal stations, and the number of "acutely inflamed" nodes in group 3 compared with all the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a strong association between anterior cervical lymphadenopathy and autoimmune thyroiditis; this is certainly a good reason to justify thorough evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes for all patients with suspected thyroiditis.
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico Umberto I, Università "La Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy. francesco.giovagnorio@gmail.com.
Francesco
F
Giovagnorio
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico Umberto I, Università "La Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Marianna
M
Glorioso
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico Umberto I, Università "La Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Martina
M
Di Brino
Lymph nodes—ultrasound; Neck—ultrasound; Thyroiditis—ultrasound; Thyroid—ultrasound