DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN THE DIFFERENTIATION OF BENIGN AND MALIGNANT SUPERFICIAL CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY

Dr. Soheli Parvin*, Prof. Dr. S. M. Rokonuzzaman, Dr. Syed Shamsul Arephen, Dr. Faisal Mohammad Pasha and Dr. Shahryar Nabi Shakil

ABSTRACT

Background: Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common presenting symptom and sign for a variety of diseases, ranging from subtle infections to life threatening Head & Neck malignancies. Objective: In this study our main goal is to assess the diagnostic performance of Doppler ultrasound in the differentiation of benign and malignant superficial cervical lymphadenopathy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out initially on 72 clinically suspected superficial cervical lymphadenopathy patients from aged between 11-65 years, referred for Doppler ultrasound to Radiology and Imaging Department of Dhaka medical College Hospital, Dhaka from January 2014 to December 2015. All these patients were evaluated with details history and clinical examination and then underwent Doppler ultrasound. Patients were followed up upto histopathological diagnosis. Total 05 patients were excluded from the study. So finally 67 patients were included in the study. Result: Maximum patients (32.8%) were in age group 41-50 years followed by 22.4%, 19.4%, 11.9%, 10.4% and 3.0% were in age group 21 – 30 years, 51 – 60 years, 31 – 40 years, ≤20 years and >60 years respectively. 67 clinically suspected superficial cervical lymphadenopathy patients were studied January 2014 to December 2015. A total of 150 nodes were detected and examined with the aid of 7.5 MHz ultrasound unit having the color Doppler facility and the findings were noted. Conclusion: In overall outcome, doppler ultrasound is an useful procedure in the evaluation and differentiating malignant from benign superficial cervical lymphadenopathy.

Keywords: Doppler ultrasound, cervical lymphadenopathy, malignant, morphologic.