Value of Ultrasound Elastography in Assessment of Enlarged Cervical Lymph Nodes

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> To investigate the value of ultrasound elastography (UE) in the differentiation between benignand malignant enlarged cervical lymph nodes (LNs). <br/><b>Methods</b>: B-mode ultrasound, power Doppler imaging andUE were examined to determine LN characteristics. Two kinds of methods, 4 scores of elastographic classificationand a strain ratio (SR) were used to evaluate the ultrasound elastograms. <br/><b>Results</b>: The cutoff point of SR hadhigh utility in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant of cervical lymph nodes, with good sensitivity,specificity and accuracy. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: UE is an important aid in differential diagnosis of benign and malignantcervical LNs.