Diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in assessment of cervical lymph node in head and neck carcinoma / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Treatment and the clinical outcome of patients with head and neck cancer are determined by accurate staging and assessment of the cervical lymph nodes for metastases is an important step of this process. Ultrasonography, ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA), CT, MRI and PET/CT are used in the assessment of cervical lymph nodes. Ultrasonography guided FNA is advantageous in ease of application, minimumal invasiveness to patients, and less contraindications. Combined with cell block and molecular biology, FNA can be an effective tool for the diagnosis. The present article reviewed the diagnostic value of ultrasonography guided FNA in cervical lymph node assessment in patients with head and neck cancer.