Ultrasonography of the neck masses

High resolution ultrasonography of the neck and clinical assessment of 136 patients with neck swellings were reviewed to determine if there is a characteristic sonographic appearance for certain neck masses. Thirty two patients presented with submandibular swellings, 4 patients with parotid swellings, 22 patients with thyroid swellings, 46 patients with lymphadenopathy, 16 patients with thyroglossal cyst, 8 with bronchial cyst and 8 patients with miscellaneous neck swellings. Sonographic evaluation of different neck swellings is useful in demonstrating the location, extent and internal characteristics but also in certain entities accurate sonographic diagnosis