Abstract
Title
CLINICAL EVALUATION AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CERVICOFACIAL LYMPH NODES
Author
B. Prakash vijayan, K. Saraswathi Gopal* and B. G. Harsha Vardhan
Email
dr.saraswathik@yahoo.co.in
keyword
Lymph nodes, Ultrasound, Cervicofacial lymph nodes, Odontogenic, Non-odontogenic, Head and neck malignancy.
Abstract
Patient presenting with lymphadenopathy is a common clinical scenario in a dental practice. Greyscale ultrasonography has diverse applications in the field of medicine since 1972. Ultrasonography has gained wide acceptance as a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of cervicofacial lymphadenopathy in various conditions. Cervicofacial lymphadenopathy of the neck is commonly noticed following tooth related infections, oral ulcers and generalized infections. Only presence of a lymphadenopathy can be evaluated clinically. But its contributing reason cannot be always ascertained. Ultrasonography is an imaging method which is safe, painless, does not involve radiation, and is economical. Aim: The present study was devised with an aim of comparing the clinical and ultrasonographic features of cervicofacial lymphadenopathy. Materials and Methods: The subjects for the study were selected from the patients who visited the outpatient section of Oral Medicine and Radiology department with clinically palpable lymph nodes. Seventy patients were included in the study and they were divided into 3 groups; group I (subjects with odontogenic infections), group II (subjects with non odontogenic oral conditions) and group III (subjects with head and neck carcinomas). A detailed case history was recorded and a thorough clinical examination was carried out for all subjects. The cervicofacial lymph nodes were palpated and examined. Ultrasonographic examination of cervicofacial lymph nodes was carried out and recorded. The ultrasonographic features such as number, size, shape, short axis/long axis ratio, border sharpness, hilum, echogenicity, distribution of the internal echoes & intranodal necrosis. The results were tabulated and statistical analysis was done. The statistical analysis was done using chi square test. Result and Conclusion: Most of the subjects considered for the study showed cervicofacial lymphadenopathy associated with odontogenic causes, non-odontogenic causes and head and neck malignancies. The lymph nodes showed varied clinical features. The results obtained for each parameter in the study were highly significant with a p value of <0.000. This study proves that a significant difference is present in the ultrasonographic features between the benign (odontogenic & non-odontogenic) and malignant lymph nodes.
