Lymphadenopathy

Lymph node enlargement is recognized as a common sign of infectious, autoimmune, or malignant disease.

[27] On ultrasound, B-mode imaging depicts lymph node morphology, whilst power Doppler can assess the vascular pattern.

[28] B-mode imaging features that can distinguish metastasis and lymphoma include size, shape, calcification, loss of hilar architecture, as well as intranodal necrosis.

[28] Soft tissue edema and nodal matting on B-mode imaging suggests tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis or previous radiation therapy.

[28] Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has sensitivity and specificity percentages of 81% and 100%, respectively, in the histopathology of malignant cervical lymphadenopathy.

[27] PET-CT has proven to be helpful in identifying occult primary carcinomas of the head and neck, especially when applied as a guiding tool prior to panendoscopy, and may induce treatment related clinical decisions in up to 60% of cases.

Retroperitoneal lymphadenopathies of testicular seminoma embrace the aorta . Computed tomography image.
Medical ultrasonography of a typical normal lymph node: smooth, gently lobulated oval with a hypoechoic cortex measuring less than 3 mm in thickness with a central echogenic hilum. [ 26 ]
Ultrasonography of a suspected malignant lymph node:
- Absence of the fatty hilum
- Increased focal cortical thickness greater than 3 cm
- Doppler ultrasonography that shows hyperaemic blood flow in the hilum and central cortex and/or abnormal (non-hilar cortical) blood flow. [ 26 ]
Inflammatory localized lymphadenopathy at right mandibular angle
Micrograph of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy , a type of lymphadenopathy. H&E stain .