MRI and neck metastases: a clinical, radiological, pathological correlative study

In a previous report CT was shown to have no advantage over physical examination in the detection of metastatic neck disease. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate whether MRI would show superiority to the CT in the diagnosis of neck nodes. A series of 35 patients with various head and neck tumors were evaluated clinically, radiographically and pathologically. Eight patients were excluded from the study because of various problems involving the MRI. Therefore, 27 patients with 30 neck dissections were analyzed. There was little advantage of MRI over clinical examination in the detection of metastatic neck disease. The present size criterion for the diagnosis of occult malignant nodes is not reliable. The soft tissue contrast resolution reported by MRI is inadequate to detect minimal morphological changes in lymph nodes involved by metastases, and MRI is difficult in patients who have airway or foodway obstruction.     

MRI在舌鳞状细胞癌中的临床应用

目的：通过与术后病理对照,分析舌鳞状细胞癌颈淋巴结转移MRI征象及客观诊断指标,探讨MRI在诊断舌鳞状细胞癌颈部淋巴结转移中的临床价值。方法：对36例舌鳞状细胞癌患者共计115个淋巴结进行MRI术后病理对照分析。结果：舌鳞状细胞癌颈部转移淋巴结在MRI上多数存在微观的淋巴结受侵润征象。舌鳞状细胞癌转移与非转移淋巴结横径差异有统计学意义,但两者T2信号强度差异无统计学意义。结论：MRI可在术前为舌鳞状细胞癌患者提供有效信息,常规MRI图像上肿大淋巴结横短径可作为诊断受到侵润的一个参考指标。     

Clinical study on papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with lymph node metastasi

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) may metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. It is, however, uncommon for a palpable neck node alone to lead to the diagnosis of this disease when it is not apparent at presentation. Standard treatment for such cases has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed clinical courses in 8 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting with palpable lymph node metastasis at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1990 and 2003. Three had high thyrogloblin in cervical cystic lesions, leading to the diagnosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis. In 4, PTC was diagnosed by pathological examination of cervical lymph nodes initially diagnosed as lateral cervical cysts. Preoperative examination did not indicate PTC within the gland in any case. All 8 were alive at the last visit after follow-up from 23 to 150 months (mean: 78 months). Total thyroidectomy was done on 4 and thyroid lobectomy on 3. Pathological examination of resected thyroid glands confirmed multifocal papillary carcinoma from 4 mm to 15 mm in diameter. Six underwent unilateral neck dissection and 1 chose bilateral dissection. The other patient received no additional surgery on either the thyroid or neck after the single enlarged lymph node initially diagnosed as a lateral cervical cyst was resected. Postoperative radioiodine treatment was done in 2 undergoing total thyroidectomy. Recurrence in the cervical area were observed in 1 whose neck dissection was insufficient. Based on these observations, we concluded that patients who undergo thyroid lobectomy and adequate neck dissection may enjoy longer survival than those treated with total thyroidectomy without sacrificing thyroid and parathyroid function. We therefore propose a prospective study on the effectiveness of thyroid lobectomy with neck dissection including positive nodes in patients with occult PTC presenting with lymph node metastasis.     

脱氧葡萄糖-正电子发射计算机断层显像对颈淋巴结转移癌的诊断价值

目的：探讨脱氧葡萄糖-正电子发射计算机断层[^18F-FDG-PET／CT（PET／CT）]融合显像对颈淋巴结转移癌的诊断价值。方法：对照颈淋巴结清扫术后病理结果,回顾性对比分析20例头颈癌患者颈部正电子发射断层（PET）、CT及PET／CT资料。结果：PET对颈淋巴结转移癌的诊断敏感性、特异性及准确度分别为92.3％、85.7％、90.0％,CT分别为77.0％、57.1％、70.0％,PET／CT分别为92.3％、100.0％、95.0％,PET／CT的诊断准确度显著高于CT（P〈0．05）、略优于PET。13例鼻咽癌放疗后患者,CT诊断正确7例,PET／CT诊断正确12例。7例N。患者颈淋巴结清扫术后病理证实4例存在颈淋巴结转移,术前PET／CT均诊断正确。结论：PET／CT融合显像对颈淋巴结转移癌的诊断价值优于单独的PET及CT,尤其对于治疗后的患者,其诊断优势更加突出,有望作为是否需行颈淋巴结清扫术的指征。     

Computed tomography and ultrasonographic evaluation of metastatic cervical lymph nodes with surgicoclinicopathologic correlation

The detection of cervical lymph nodal metastasis and carotid artery invasion by metastatic lymph nodes is an important issue in the management of head and neck malignancies. This study compared the evaluation of metastasis by palpation, ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) in patients with known head and neck malignancies. Twenty-five consecutive patients with head and neck malignancy were prospectively evaluated for the presence of cervical lymphadenopathy and carotid artery invasion. All patients underwent clinical examination (palpation), USG and CT examination. A modified CT criteria was employed which yielded acceptable results for the detection of metastatic nodes. Radical neck dissection was performed for 26 neck sides, and the results of pre-operative evaluation were confirmed by the surgical and histopathological findings. Palpation, ultrasound and CT have comparable sensitivity in the determination of metastasis involving cervical lymph nodes. Thus palpation should be employed as the primary method of assessment of secondaries in the neck. However, palpation is less sensitive than CT and USG in the detection of carotid artery involvement, hence the clinical suspicion of arterial invasion should be confirmed by either CT or USG which have similar accuracy in the detection of carotid artery invasion.     

B-image sonography in lymph node staging of the head and neck area. A comparison with palpation, computerized and magnetic resonance tomography

The results of palpation, CT and MRI and high resolution ultrasound were compared in 100 patients with malignancy of the head and neck. Ultrasound detected far more lymph nodes than the other methods. These diagnostic findings were compared with the operative and histological results in 62 patients. Ultrasound proved superior to the other methods: a lymph node metastasis was missed in only 2 patients by sonography, whereas in 20 patients metastases were overlooked by CT and MRI scans, and in 27 patients by palpation. High resolution ultrasound is at present the most reliable method for the detection of lymph nodes in the head and neck.     

Positron emission tomography using [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the clinically negative neck: is it likely to be superior?

The capability of modern imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, US and US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (USgFNAC) to detect small tumour deposits is limited. Therefore, the detection of occult metastases in the clinically negative neck remains a diagnostic problem. One of the novel options to refine staging of head and neck cancer is [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). To evaluate the diagnostic value of FDG-PET in the detection of occult malignant lymph nodes, we compared the results of FDG-PET with other diagnostic techniques and the histopathological outcome of 15 neck dissection specimens from 15 head and neck cancer patients with a clinically negative neck. Three sides contained metastases of squamous cell carcinoma. FDG-PET enabled detection of metastases in two sides, which were also detected by MRI or USgFNAC. FDG-PET and CT missed metastases in one patient, which were detected by both MRI and USgFNAC. In studies with a detailed examination of lymph nodes of a neck dissection, a low sensitivity of FDG-PET for the detection of occult lymph node metastases is found. It is unlikely that FDG-PET is superior in the detection of occult lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer patients with a palpably negative neck. The histopathological method used seems to be the most important factor for the differences in sensitivity in reported FDG-PET studies. New approaches such as the use of monoclonal antibodies labelled with a positron emitter may improve the results of PET in these patients.     

Diagnosis of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid by ultrasonography

No consensus for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid exists on the preoperative diagnosis of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis, indications, or range of neck dissection, so we studied the usefulness and limits of ultrasonography and sufficient dissection by comparing preoperative ultrasonographic and postoperative histopathological diagnosis. Subjects were 45 patients (51 affected sides) with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid who underwent modified neck dissection between July 1997 and July 2003. Preoperative ultrasonographic and postoperative histopathological diagnosis were compared. Specimens excised by neck dissection contained 1,325 lymph nodes. Of these, 198 (15%) detected by preoperative ultrasonography were selected for investigation of diagnostic criteria for metastasis-positive lymph nodes. The best criterion for the diagnosis of metastasis-positive lymph node was 0.5 or greater [minor axis/major axis] with 6 mm or greater minor axis at levels III, IV, or V (7 mm or greater at level II), and sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 78%, 100%, and 84% respectively. The lateral cervical lymph node metastasis rate obtained by this diagnostic criterion was 41%. Regional histopathological metastasis positivity was investigated in the lateral cervical region, and high positivity rates were obtained: 57% at level II, 71% at level III, and 84% at level IV. Considering these findings and the preoperative ultrasonographic diagnosis rate of 41%, sufficient dissection at levels II-IV may be necessary for patients in whom lateral cervical metastasis is observed before surgery. The metastasis rate was 10% at level V, but dissection should always be done in lateral cervical metastasis-positive patients because: 1) No trend was observed in age, gender, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, or regional metastasis rate; 2) no anatomical boundary is present between levels II, III, IV and level V; 3) no functional disorder due to preservation of the accessory nerve occurred; 4) the prognosis of patients with advancement to the accessory nerve was poor; and 5) improvement of the prognosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid by modified radical neck dissection has been reported.     

Sonographische Differenzialdiagnose von Raumforderungen der Halsweichteile

One of the main indications for the use of ultrasound by the head and neck specialist is the diagnosis of cervical masses. The examination can be easily performed since all structures of interest are located superficially and are not covered by boney or air-filled structures. Further advantages of ultrasound in contrast to other imaging techniques such as MRI or CT include its high resolution and lack of side effects. Even structures of <5 mm in diameter can be interpreted well. Since ultrasound is fast, has no side effects and can be performed as often as necessary, it represents an excellent diagnostic instrument in the follow-up of patients with head and neck cancer. In addition to the conventional B-scan technique, colour duplex sonography is also often performed today to obtain additional information on the nature of cervical masses. Thus, different entities of cervical lymph nodes can be well differentiated by their pattern of vascularization.     

Positron emission tomography: a new, precise imaging modality for detection of primary head and neck tumors and assessment of cervical adenopathy.

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be effective in detecting intracranial malignancies based on cerebral glucose metabolism. To evaluate the ability of PET to detect extracranial head and neck neoplasms and cervical metastases, 16 patients with primary squamous cell carcinomas were examined. All patients received preoperative computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and underwent PET evaluation using intravenous 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). Histopathologic analysis compared tumor invasion and positive lymph nodes with findings on MRI, CT, and PET images. All primary tumors were delineated by PET, while MRI and CT failed to detect one superficial tumor involving the anterior tongue. Ten nodes were detected by CT and MRI versus 12 nodes demonstrated by PET. PET is highly effective in detecting head and neck carcinomas as well as metastatic cervical lymph nodes. In addition, PET may be useful in evaluating postsurgery and postradiotherapy patients for recurrent and new primary tumors.     

Ultrasound investigation of cervical lymph node metastases: conception and results of a histopathological exploration

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is one of the most important methods for detection of cervical lymph node metastases in malignancies of the head and neck. In our study, the specificity of ultrasound was explored by a special, histopathological exploration considering the anatomical regions of the neck. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were studied (5 female, 33 male, age: 38-86 years) with different histology and incidence of metastatic spread of head and neck cancers. Forty-six neck dissections were performed (30 radical and 16 selective). Histological exploration was performed after pinning the neck soft tissue with needles to anatomical live drawings of the lymph node regions, a modification of the Medina procedure. This procedure allowed a correct topographical assignment of lymph node metastases and comparison of preoperative sonographical findings with histopathological results. RESULTS: We isolated 1333 lymph nodes, 137 of them infiltrated by metastases. These lymph node metastases were found in 28 of 46 neck dissections. The number of lymph nodes in radical neck dissections ranged from 21 to 60 (mean: 36), in selective neck dissection from 1 to 43 (mean: 16). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound reached 96%, 69%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-two lymph node metastases (52%) of 12 neck dissections could not be evaluated by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the reliability of ultrasound regarding sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of US-detectable cervical lymph nodes as reported in world literature. However, we were able to demonstrate in special histopathological explorations, that ultrasound did not detect more than 50% of present lymph node metastases in our series. We consider it essential to perform histopathological explorations of the soft tissue of the neck as described in our study to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of US, CT, and MRI in detecting lymph node metastases of head and neck malignancies.     

A clinical study of ultrasonography for lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer

Ultrasonography (US) is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node swelling in head and neck cancers. We studied problems with US in evaluating lymph nodes. Cervical lymph nodes were removed by radical neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection from 79 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck. We studied the correlation between preoperative US findings and the histopathological features. Preoperative lymph nodes were measured three-dimensionally. We diagnosed lymph nodes as metastases when they meet two criteria: One is the shortest diameter exceeding 7 mm in level I and II and 6 mm in level III, IV and V. The other is shortest to longest diameter ratio exceeding 0.5. A total of 2004 lymph nodes were removed by neck dissection, and 199 lymph nodes were diagnosed histopathologically as metastases. Of the 199 metastatic lymph nodes, 93 (46%) were diagnosed as metastases by preoperative US findings and 33 (17%) were false negative. Thirty-six cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N0 by US findings, but 15 of these were pN(+) histopathologically. In the 15 cases, 21 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 21 metastatic lymph nodes, 10 nodes were not detected by US. Thirty-one cases were diagnosed preoperatively as N1 by US findings, but 20 of these were pN2b histopathologically. In the 20 cases, 66 lymph nodes were metastases. Of the 66 metastatic lymph nodes, 46 were not diagnosed as metastases. They often located distant level from the lymph node diagnosed correctly as a metastasis. US is very useful in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis, but it has the limitations indicated above. If 1 metastatic lymph node is detected by US, there will be multiple metastatic lymph nodes and sometimes they are distant from the original level. Radical neck dissection should be done for positive lymph nodes detected by US findings. If a lymph node is not clearly a metastasis, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) should be done, because it provides more accurate diagnosis for metastatic lymph nodes.     

喉癌和下咽癌颈淋巴结转移临床对比分析

目的：探讨喉癌、下咽癌患者颈淋巴结转移的特点和分布规律。方法：对全喉切除术同期及复发后第1次行颈淋巴结清扫的129例喉癌、下咽癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性对比分析，研究不同类型的喉癌、下咽癌患者颈淋巴结的转移情况。结果：声门上型喉癌、下咽癌患者易发生早期淋巴结转移；下咽癌患者的转移淋巴结融合率高，颈静脉下区出现阳性淋巴结的比率高；声门上型喉癌、下咽癌患者原发病灶分化差的比率相对偏高；同期与复发后行颈淋巴结清扫的患者原发病灶分期差异无显著性意义。结论：对T2期及以上的声门上型喉癌及下咽癌患者，尤其当细胞分化比较差时，即使颈淋巴结阳性体征不明显亦应积极考虑颈淋巴结清扫问题，对下咽癌患者行颈淋巴结清扫时应考虑彻底清扫颈静脉下区的淋巴结。     

Simultaneous metastasized primary unknown signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervical lymph node and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland as double cancers

Lymph node metastasis from signet ring cellcarcinoma (SRCC) primary unknown is extremely rare. We here report a case of primary-unknown SRCC that metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, co-existing with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland as a simultaneous double cancer. A 68-year-old female patient with right swollen cervical lymph nodes consulted our medical center. A diagnosis of bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis and a right parotid tumor was made. After bilateral neck dissection and right parotidectomy, the pathological diagnosis was SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Examination of the CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusion gene showed no relation between SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Ten months after the first treatment, there was recurrence in the left neck lymph node, and left neck dissection was performed. Fourteen months after the first treatment, the patient is alive and cancer-free. This case is the fourth report of SRCC with lymph node metastasis, and highlights the value of fusion gene detection to determine relatedness between simultaneous cancers. Moreover, such cases should be closely monitored for the subsequent appearance of distant metastases.     

声门上型喉癌N0颈淋巴结微灶转移的免疫组化检测

提高声门上型喉癌颈癌转移淋巴结微小转移灶的检出率。方法应用抗细胞蛋白单克隆抗体,ＩＳＡＢ免疫组化法对４６例常规临床病理颈部淋巴结阴性的颈深上淋巴结进行监测。     

声门上型喉癌N0颈淋巴结微灶转移的免疫组化检测

目的　提高声门上型喉癌颈部转移淋巴结微小转移灶的检出率。方法　应用抗细胞角蛋白 (cytokeratin,CK ,AE1/AE3)单克隆抗体 ,LSAB免疫组化法对 46例 (50侧 )常规临床病理颈部淋巴结阴性 (pN0 )的颈深上淋巴结进行监测。结果　 11例患者的 13枚淋巴结中发现微转移灶。结论　免疫组化法对微灶转移的检测比临床常规病理检查更敏感 ,因此是一临床更有使用价值的检查方法。     

X染色体灭活方式检测在诊断头颈鳞状细胞癌颈淋巴微转移中的作用

目的探讨X染色体灭活检测肿瘤细胞克隆来源在诊断头颈鳞癌颈淋巴结微转移中的作用。方法对20例临床N0M0头颈部鳞癌包括10例术后病理诊断明确的颈淋巴结微转移癌和10例可疑颈淋巴结微转移癌，通过组织显微切割和蛋白酶K消化技术获得肿瘤组织DNA，在限制性酶切和PCR扩增后观察肿瘤细胞雄激素受体在X染色体上的标志，明确X染色体灭活情况；通过比较原发癌和转移灶或可疑微转移灶细胞的检测结果鉴定转移部位细胞与原发癌肿瘤细胞的克隆同源性，进而对颈淋巴转移情况做出正确诊断。结果10例不同程度表达肿瘤细胞表面标志、病理诊断明确的颈淋巴结转移癌与其对应的原发癌均为单克隆来源，并且具有相同的X染色体灭活方式，提示两者之间具有相同的克隆来源，证明颈淋巴结转移癌来自原发癌；10例原发灶不同程度地表达表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor，EGFR）和角蛋白，但颈淋巴结内可疑微转移灶不表达EGFR和角蛋白的可疑颈淋巴结微转移癌，X染色体灭活分析发现6例可疑转移灶细胞与原发癌细胞具有克隆同源性，证实为颈淋巴结内微转移；其余4例两者间不具有相同的细胞克隆来源，排除淋巴结转移癌。结论采用x染色体灭活法检测肿瘤细胞的克隆来源对诊断头颈肿瘤颈淋巴结微转移具有很好的应用前景和潜在临床实用价值。     

Functional magnetic resonance imaging using iron oxide particles in characterizing head and neck adenopathy

OBJECTIVES: In lymph nodes harboring metastases the reticuloendothelial system is replaced by tumor cells and does not concentrate iron particles. This study assesses the value of contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (Combidex, Advanced Magnetics, Inc., Cambridge, MA) to characterize and stage neck nodes. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective analysis of neck imaging by Combidex MRI, with correlation from pathological assessment of resected lymph nodes. METHODS: Nine patients underwent MRI and subsequent bilateral neck dissections (three), unilateral neck dissections (five) or fine-needle aspiration (one). Each case was evaluated for the number, location, MRI characteristics, and pathological assessment of lymph nodes. RESULTS: Forty-nine separate nodal levels were evaluated with both Combidex MRI and pathological assessment. The presence of metastatic nodal involvement among 45 levels was correctly assessed by the Combidex MRI (three false-negative results, one false-positive result; sensitivity, 84%; specificity, 97%). Analysis was possible for 101 of the individual lymph nodes identified by MRI that could be correlated with individual nodes pathologically examined. Combidex MRI assessment was correct for 99 nodes (one-false positive result, one false-negative result; sensitivity, 95%, specificity, 99%). Standard MRI interpretation without Combidex identified that 12 of 18 nodes (67%) that were greater than or equal to 10 mm (greatest dimension) contained tumor, whereas 9 of 83 nodes (ll%) that were less than 10 mm contained tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Combidex MRI provides functional information to characterize lymph nodes in the clinical staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The inability of MRI to identify small lymph nodes restricts the usefulness of this technique.