ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of ultrasonography (US), especially when combined with strain elastography (SE), in differentiating between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes (LNs). METHODS: Forty-one LNs were examined by B-mode US, power Doppler US, and SE. The following imaging features were analyzed: shape, echogenicity, echogenic hilum, calcification, intranodal vascular pattern, elasticity scores (5 categories), and strain ratio. The average strain ratio was calculated as the mean strain of the adjacent sternocleidomastoid muscle divided by the mean strain of the target LN. The results of the US and SE features were compared with the histopathologic findings. RESULTS: The imaging features that were significantly associated with malignant LNs were an increased short-to-long axis diameter ratio, abnormal or absence of hilum, microcalcification, type 2-3-4 vascularity, 3-4-5 elasticity scores, and a high level of strain ratio (P < 0.05). The cutoff value of the strain index was detected as 1.18. According to this, there was a significant difference (P = 0.004) in the strain index between benign and malignant LNs. CONCLUSIONS: Strain elastography is useful in differentiating between benign and malignant cervical LNs, thereby informing decisions to perform a biopsy and/or surgery, and facilitating follow-up.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography/methods , Adult , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Female , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Neck , Prospective Studies , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Young AdultSubject(s)
Brain Diseases/complications , Sturge-Weber Syndrome/complications , Atrophy/complications , Brain Diseases/diagnosis , Child , Electroencephalography , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Sturge-Weber Syndrome/diagnosis , Tomography Scanners, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pelvic arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are uncommon lesions and only a rare number of male cases have been reported. Their clinical presentations are variable and imaging modalities have an important place in diagnosis and treatment planning. CASE REPORT: We present the imaging findings of a giant congenital pelvic AVM that was diagnosed in a 30-year-old male patient eight years ago and which progressed despite follow-up and treatment, causing cardiac failure, diplegia, and neurogenic bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic AVMs are uncommon lesions and they can present with various symptoms based on their locations and sizes. Delays in the diagnosis and treatment can cause local and systemic complications. Imaging is very important in the diagnosis of pelvic AVM.
