COMPUTEDTOMOGRAPHYAND ,' II I ill :1 'III' ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LATERAL 'I1' y :,,: COMPARTMENTAL NECK MASSES

Abstract

Neck swellings wither benign or malignant are difficult to be diagnosed by the clinical examination which is dependant on personal skill.

Clinical assessment followed by plain radiography are the preliminary step, yet the plain radiography has a limited role due to superimposition of various neck structures.

Ultrasonography is the next modality used to differentiate cystic or solid neck swelling. yet the adjacent structures to the lesion may not be illustrated accurately • Doppler ultrasonography is helpful in assessment the normal and pathological vascular neck lesions e.g. hemangioma. CT provided a unique and non-invasive method for neck swelling • evaluation. It is now needed in staging neck tumors because of its ability both to display the primary tumor in relation to surrounding organs and to detect non-palpable regional and distant lymphatic metastases.

Computed tomography and ultrasonography should be considered complementary, rather than competitive modalities for imaging oflateral neck masses. Careful attention to imaging findings and correlation with clinical history will help in definite diagnosis in most of cases or limit the differential diagnosis list.