Ultrasound evaluation of the morphometric patterns of lymph nodes of the head and neck in young and middle-aged individuals

Abstract

ObjectiveTo show the morphometric patterns of lymph nodes of the head and neck, evaluating their number, shape, dimensions, hilum, and cortex, through the use of ultrasound examination of the neck.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed 400 right and left lymph nodes in a group of 20 healthy young and middle-aged individuals of both genders.ResultsIn the ultrasound examination, we observed the following lymph nodes: mastoid; parotid (superficial, extraglandular, and intraglandular); submandibular (preglandular, retroglandular, and intracapsular); submental; and cervical (anterior and posterior). Although some individuals had up to seven lymph nodes in the same region, most had only two to three per region. The smallest lymph node diameter observed was 0.4 cm, and the largest was 2.7 cm. Most lymph nodes showed an elongated or oval shape. Most of the lymph node hila were echogenic, although a few were hyperechoic. However, the cortex was clearly hypoechoic in all of the lymph nodes evaluated.ConclusionUltrasound examination of healthy individuals allowed the characteristics of the lymph nodes of the head and neck to be observed clearly, which could provide a basis for the analysis of patients with diseases of these lymph nodes.

Measurable and Unmeasurable Features of Ultrasound Lymph Node Images in Detection of Malignant Infiltration

“…In our study, the LNs with malignant cytology were mostly oval, as well as benign LNs. Th e majority of rounded and irregularly shaped LNs were malignant by FNAC, an observation consistent with the previously reported studies 8,[23][24][25] . Nevertheless, it has been reported that normal submandibular and parotid nodes, as well as the LNs related to some non-malignant diseases such as tuberculosis 7 , are often round 26,27 .…”

Parâmetros Anatômicos E Características Radiológicas Relevantes Para a Avaliação Dos Linfonodos Cervicais: Uma Revisão Bibliográfica

“…Nesse contexto, devido à íntima relação dessas estruturas com o sistema imune, o conhecimento anatômico e morfológico dos linfonodos cervicais são fundamentais para o reconhecimento de diversas patologias com comprometimento local, tais como linfomas, tuberculose e metástases tumorais. Entretanto, não são todos os linfonodos que serão palpáveis durante o exame físico, sendo os métodos de imagem essenciais para o auxílio diagnóstico (OGASSAVARA et al, 2016).…”

Suppurative mastoid lymphadenitis mimicking mastoiditis: a case report

“…Mastoid lymph nodes (MLNs), or retroauricular lymph nodes 1 , are a small group of usually two nodes that belong to the superficial lymph node group of the head 2 . They are located in both retroauricular areas, in the mastoid region and are more numerous in children 3 .…”