Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis: MR Features

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To characterize the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cervical MR images of 14 patients with pathologically or clinically proven cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were retrospectively analyzed. T1- and T2-weighted or proton density images and contrast enhanced MR images were obtained in all patients. RESULTS: Most patient had multiple (n=12), unilateral lesions (n=l0), 8 mm to 45 mm in size, round (n=46) or ovoid (n=46) in shape and all with smooth and well-defined margins mostly at internal jugular chain(N2 41, N3 2, N4 21 ). The signal intensities of the most lymph nodes were isointense or slightly hyperintense on T1 -weighted images, and hyperintense (all) with variable homogeneity on T2-weighted and/or proton density images. After contrast enhancement most showed characteristic thin peripheral rim enhancement (n=71). CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR features of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis would be multiple, unilateral enlarged lymph nodes which show iso or slightly increased signal intensity on T1 -weighted image, high signal intensity on T2-weighted and/or proton density image and peripheral rim enhancement.