甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT表现

目的：评价甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT特点。方法：回顾性分析经手术及病理诊断的108例甲状腺癌淋巴结转移的CT表现。结果：108例中，颈上中深组淋巴结转移76例，颈下深组及锁骨上窝86例，气管食管沟52例，纵隔17例。84例乳头状癌中，16例淋巴结密度与正常甲状腺相似，24例有囊性变，其中18例淋巴结囊内有明显强化的乳头状结节，11例有细颗粒状钙化，24例滤泡癌，髓样癌，透明细胞癌中，17例淋巴结明显强化，17例与甲状腺原发或复发肿瘤密度一致，密度均匀或不均匀。结论：甲状腺癌转移淋巴结好发部位为颈静脉链周围，气管食管沟及纵隔；淋巴结明显强化，与正常甲状腺密度一致，囊性变，囊壁内明显强化的乳头状结节及细颗粒状钙化为甲状腺乳头状癌的特征性改变，淋巴结明显强化，与甲状腺肿瘤密度一致为滤泡癌，髓样癌，透明细胞癌转移淋巴结的特点。     

Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms of the pancreas: CT findings

Five female patients and one male patient with solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms of the pancreas were examined with computed tomography (CT). The mean age of the patients was 27 years (range, 13-46 years). All cases showed well-encapsulated, round or lobulated masses consisting of both cystic and solid areas. Cystic portions showed CT numbers that suggested hemorrhagic necrosis. There were no internal septations within the masses. In three tumors located in the head of the pancreas, dilatation of the biliary tree was absent or minimal, although the masses were large. Two tumors contained calcifications. One tumor demonstrated metastatic deposits in liver and lymph nodes. Metastatic masses appeared similar to the primary pancreatic mass. Solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas should be the primary diagnostic consideration when characteristic CT findings are detected in a young female patient.     

Sonography for the detection of cervical lymph node metastases among patients with tongue cancer: criteria for early detection and assessment of follow-up examination intervals

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because the presence of cervical metastasis is one of the factors influencing the outcome of patients with carcinoma of the head and neck, its early detection is potentially very important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristic changes of cervical metastasis revealed by sonography during follow-up and to assess an adequate interval for follow-up sonography of the neck among patients with tongue cancer. METHODS: Forty-three of 44 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, who had undergone interstitial brachytherapy, were examined with sonography of the neck during the posttherapeutic follow-up period. RESULTS: Seventeen cervical lymph node metastases were found in 12 of 43 patients during follow-up. Of these 17 cervical metastases, 16 (94.1%) were accurately diagnosed and one (5.9%) was misdiagnosed as nonmetastatic based on sonographic findings. Sonography of the neck performed in seven patients at an interval of less than 1 month since the last follow-up imaging showed 9 (90.0%) of 10 metastases increased by up to 2 mm in short-axis diameter. Five patients who were followed up at an interval of more than 1 month since the last follow-up imaging had seven metastases increase by 3 to 8 mm in short-axis diameter or a change of echogenicity in the internal structure of lymph nodes or both. Pathologic examinations showed extranodal spread in 3 (42.9%) of these 7 metastases. CONCLUSION: Changes both in size and internal echogenicity can occur as quickly as 2 to 4 weeks between sonographic examinations. Therefore, in high-risk patients, or in those with suspicious sonographic findings, short-interval follow-up sonographic examinations are recommended at least during the first posttherapeutic year. Our findings suggest that follow-up sonography of the neck should be performed monthly, at least during the first posttherapeutic year.     

Mucin-producing carcinoma of the gallbladder: imaging demonstration in four cases

We report four cases of mucin-producing carcinoma of the gallbladder (three papillary adenocarcinomas and one mucinous carcinoma), with an emphasis on imaging features. Our findings suggest that when a papillary protrusion or thickened wall, including cystic areas and/or calcifications, is seen radiologically in the enlarged gallbladder, mucin-producing carcinoma of the gallbladder should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

甲状腺髓样癌的超声诊断

目的探讨超声在甲状腺髓样癌（MTC）的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析我院经病理证实的38个甲状腺髓样癌及83个甲状腺乳头状癌结节的声像图表现,以106个良性结节为对照组,组间差异使用卡方检验。结果甲状腺髓样癌结节声像图表现为实性（100％）,低或极低回声（97．4％）,边缘规则（57．9％）,呈圆形或卵圆形（63．2％）,结节内伴钙化（63．1％）,粗大钙化（34．2％）,微小钙化（28．9％）,合并颈部淋巴结转移（52．6％）;与甲状腺乳头状癌相比,甲状腺髓样癌多表现为边缘规则,呈圆形或卵圆形,易发生淋巴结转移,结节内钙化多为粗大钙化（P〈0．05）。结论甲状腺髓样癌具有一定的声像图特点,超声检查有助于甲状腺髓样癌的诊断和鉴别诊断。     

Percutaneous ethanol injection for treatment of cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the technique, efficacy, and side effects of percutaneous ethanol injection in patients with limited cervical nodal metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma presented with limited nodal metastases (one to five involved nodes) in the neck between May 1993 and April 2000. All patients had received previous iodine-131 ablative therapy with a mean total dose per patient of 7,548 MBq. Ten of the patients either were considered poor surgical candidates or preferred not to have surgery, and all were unresponsive to iodine-131 therapy. Each metastatic lymph node was treated with percutaneous ethanol injection, and patients received both clinical and sonographic follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-nine metastatic lymph nodes in our 14 patients were injected. Mean sonographic follow-up was 18 months (range, from 2 months to 6 years 5 months). All treated lymph nodes decreased in volume from a mean of 492 mm(3) before percutaneous ethanol injection to a mean volume of 76 mm(3) at 1 year and 20 mm(3) at 2 years after treatment. Six nodes were re-treated 2-12 months after initial percutaneous ethanol injection because of persistent flow on color Doppler sonography (n = 4), stable size (n = 1), or increased size (n = 1). Two patients developed four new metastatic nodes during the follow-up period that were amenable to percutaneous ethanol injection. Two patients developed innumerable metastatic nodes that precluded retreatment with percutaneous ethanol injection. No major complications occurred. All patients experienced long-term local control of metastatic lymph nodes treated by percutaneous ethanol injection. In 12 of 14 patients, percutaneous ethanol injection was successful in controlling all known metastatic adenopathy. CONCLUSION: Sonographically guided percutaneous ethanol injection is a valuable treatment option for patients with limited cervical nodal metastases from papillary thyroid cancer who are not amenable to further surgical or radioiodine therapy.     

甲状腺癌颈部淋巴结转移的超声表现及对临床治疗的意义

目的:分析甲状腺癌颈部淋巴结转移的超声表现,探讨转移淋巴结的声像图特征、分布及对临床治疗的指导意义。方法:回顾性分析50例甲状腺癌患者126枚颈部转移淋巴结的超声表现及分布,所有病灶均经手术或超声引导下穿刺活检证实。分析转移淋巴结的长短径比值、边界、皮质厚度、淋巴门、内部囊性变、内部钙化、Adler血流分级、峰值流速(peak systolic velocity,PSV)、RI,并与40枚反应增生性淋巴结对比。结果:转移淋巴结长短径比值较小、边界欠清、皮质增厚、淋巴门高回声消失、内部可见囊性变及钙化、Adler血流分级及PSV均较高,与反应增生性淋巴结相比差异有统计学意义。结论:甲状腺癌颈部淋巴结转移具有特征性超声表现,其准确诊断及定位有助于指导患者的治疗。     

Distinct lymph nodal sonographic characteristics in breast cancer patients at high risk for axillary metastases correlate with the final axillary stage

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical relevance, limitations and most common findings of axillary ultrasound and subsequent image-guided aspiration cytology in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients who are at high risk for axillary metastasis. Following institutional review board approval and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, sonographic axillary surveys from 112 patients considered at high risk for axillary metastases were reviewed retrospectively for the following abnormal features: asymmetric cortical thickening/lobulations; loss or compression of the hyperechoic medullary region; absence of fatty hilum; abnormal lymph node shape; hypoechoic cortex; admixture of normal and abnormal appearing nodes; and increased peripheral blood flow. Patients with either normal or abnormal ultrasound exams, but negative cytology, underwent sentinel node mapping. Patients with abnormal ultrasound and positive cytology proceeded to complete axillary dissection. The number of positive nodes, the size of tumour deposits and the histological pattern of metastatic disease on the positive nodes were then correlated and compared with their corresponding sonographic abnormalities. Abnormalities related to the lymph node cortex were indicative of N1a disease. Features such as loss or compression of the hyperechoic medullary region, absence of fatty hilum, abnormal lymph node shape and increased peripheral blood flow were predictors of N2-3 disease. In conclusion, nodal sonographic characteristics of patients at high risk for metastases are useful predictors of tumour burden in the axilla. When combined with the results from aspiration cytology, these findings could modify the surgical approach to the axilla, eliminating the need for sentinel node mapping in a significant proportion of patients.     

Invasion of the carotid artery and jugular vein by lymph node metastases: detection with sonography

Knowledge of invasion of the walls of the cervical vessels by tumor is of great clinical importance before surgery. We performed sonography on 83 patients with palpable cervical lymph node metastases in the region of the carotid bifurcation to determine the relationship of the metastases to the carotid artery and jugular vein. In all patients, the sonographic results were proved by surgery. The wall of the carotid artery was hypo-echogenic in 11 of 12 patients with surgically proved tumor invasion of the artery. Four results were false-positive. Palpation or swallowing during real-time scanning showed mobility of the tumor relative to the wall of the artery in 47 patients (57%). In these patients, tumor invasion could be excluded. Bilateral compression or invasion of the internal jugular vein was identified correctly with sonography in all five patients in whom this was confirmed surgically. These results suggest that real-time sonography is a valuable method for determining the relationship between cervical lymph node metastases and the carotid artery and jugular vein.     

Second branchial cleft cysts: variability of sonographic appearances in adult cases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous reports have suggested that second branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) appear on sonograms as well-defined, cystic masses with thin walls and posterior enhancement. Previous CT and MR imaging findings, however, have indicated heterogeneity of these masses, and, in our experience, sonography also shows a similar variable appearance. In this communication, we report the cases of 17 patients with second BCCs and document the variability of sonographic patterns. METHODS: The sonograms of 17 adults with second BCCs were reviewed. Only patients with surgical or cytologic evidence of BCCs were included in this study. The features evaluated were the location, internal echogenicity, posterior enhancement, and presence of septa and fistulous tract. RESULTS: Four patterns of second BCCs were identified: anechoic (41%), homogeneously hypoechoic with internal debris (23.5%), pseudosolid (12%), and heterogeneous (23.5%). The majority (70%) showed posterior enhancement. All were situated in their classical location, posterior to the submandibular gland, superficial to the carotid artery and internal jugular vein, and closely related to the medial and anterior margin of the sternomastoid muscle. Fourteen (82%) of the 17 BCCs had imperceptible walls, and all were well defined. For none of the patients was a fistulous tract revealed by sonography; the presence of internal septations was revealed for three patients. CONCLUSION: As previously suggested by CT and MR imaging findings, sonography reinforces that second BCCs in adults are not simple cysts but have a complex sonographic pattern ranging from a typical anechoic to a pseudosolid appearance.     

An overview of neck node sonography

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Gray scale and power Doppler sonography are commonly used to evaluate cervical lymph nodes. This study was undertaken to identify which of the features used in ultrasound of cervical lymph nodes is readily applicable in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Two hundred and eight-six patients diagnosed with cervical lymphadenopathy were included in the study. The largest node in each patient was included in the study and the nature of the node was assessed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Lymph nodes were assessed for their gray scale and Doppler sonographic features. RESULTS: Metastatic, lymphomatous, and tuberculous nodes were round (63-94%) and without echogenic hilus (57-91%). Sharp borders were found in metastatic and lymphomatous nodes (56-100%), but uncommon in tuberculosis (49%). Capsular or mixed vascularity is common in metastatic, lymphomatous, and tuberculous nodes but not found in reactive nodes. Except metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid that showed low resistance, metastatic nodes had a higher vascular resistance than reactive nodes. Micronodular echo pattern is common in lymphomatous nodes. Hyperechogenicity and punctate calcification are typical features for metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Intranodal cystic necrosis, adjacent soft tissue edema, matting and displaced hilar vascularity are common features in tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Using gray scale and power Doppler sonography, metastatic, lymphomatous, and tuberculous nodes can be differentiated from reactive nodes. Metastatic nodes from papillary carcinoma, lymphoma, and tuberculosis can be identified. However, it is difficult to differentiate metastatic nodes from squamous cell carcinomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and infraclavicular carcinomas, and differentiate metastatic nodes (nonthyroid primary) from tuberculous lymphadenitis.     

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: MR diagnosis of lymph node metastasis.

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of MR imaging in the diagnosis of nodal metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma and to establish the most indicative MR criteria of metastasis.METHODSPathologic records and MR images in 50 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were reviewed. Each neck was divided into four nodal levels, so that 200 nodal levels were assessed in all. The maximum of the minimum transverse diameters of the lymph nodes on each nodal level measured on MR images and the certainty of metastasis as determined by a head and neck radiologist on the basis of morphologic aspects were compared with the pathologic findings by using receiver operating characteristic curves. The presence or absence of cystic nodes on each nodal level was also evaluated.RESULTSMetastasis was found on 87 (44%) of the nodal levels in 34 (68%) of the patients. A cystic node was identified on 33 (17%) of the nodal levels in 13 (26%) of the patients and was seen only on positive nodal levels. Morphologic diagnosis by the radiologist was better than that obtained by measurement. With the combined criteria of a cystic node or a node of 13 mm or more for the maximum of the minimum transverse diameters, specificity was 100% with an 82% accuracy and always indicated metastasis (100% positive predictive value). However, 41% of the metastatic nodes were missed with this criterion (59% sensitivity).CONCLUSIONMR imaging was useful for diagnosing metastatic nodes; a nodal diameter threshold of 13 mm or the presence of a cystic node strongly indicated metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

Computed tomography and ultrasonography of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To define criteria for CT and US in differentiating cervical lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT and/or US of 230 metastatic lymph nodes and 228 benign lymph nodes in 147 patients with oral SCC were retrospectively evaluated. The CT and US findings of each lymph node were compared with the histopathological findings. A metastasis was defined on CT as a lymph node with rim or heterogeneous enhancement, or measuring 10 mm or more in the short axis, regardless of enhancement pattern, and on US as having definite internal echoes, regardless of size, or without definite internal or hilar echoes, but measuring 10 mm or more in the short axis. A lymph node with hilar echoes or a ratio of the long to short axis (L/S ratio) of 3.5 or more was considered benign. A lymph node failing to comform to any of these categories was termed questionable. RESULTS: The positive predictive value (PPV) for CT was 90.8% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 70.4%. However, 65.7% of all lymph nodes could not be classified as either metastastic or benign. PPV for US was 96.5% and NPV was 88.1%. 25.5% of all lymph nodes could not be classified as either metastatic or benign. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations in detecting metastases, by including a third category 'questionable' our criteria appear clinically more useful than other current methods based on two groups only.     

Role of axillary lymph node ultrasound and large core biopsy in the preoperative assessment of patients selected for sentinel node biopsy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of axillary lymph node sonography, if necessary in combination with US-guided large core biopsy, in the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer patients scheduled for quadrantectomy and sentinel lymph node excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2001 to December 2002, we evaluated 117 breast cancer patients with ultrasound and, where indicated, FNAB. Breast lesions had diameters between 4 and 26 mm (mean diameter 11 mm). Fifteen (13%) of the 117 patients were excluded from the series as they did not fulfil the criteria for preliminary sonography of the axilla: in 9 patients fewer than 4 nodes were detected and in 6 patients the breast lesions were intraoperatively found to be benign. Eleven patients (10.7 %) with sonographically suspicious axillary nodes were sampled by US-guided core biopsy using a 14 or 16 Gauge Tru-Cut needle. RESULTS: The ultrasound study aims to evaluate the dimensions and morphology of the breast lesion as well as detect and assess at least 4 axillary nodes. These were evaluated for hilar and cortical thickening and ratio between the sinus diameter and the total longitudinal diameter. Lymph nodes with hilar diameters equal to or greater than 50% of the longitudinal diameter were considered normal. Of the 102 patients evaluated, 77 (75.7%) had normal axillary nodes according to the US criteria adopted. Negativity was confirmed by histology in 56 cases (72.7%, true negative); 21 (27.3%, false negative) were found to be positive, in contrast with the sonographic appearance. The false negative cases were due to lymph node micrometastasis which probably did not cause morphologic alterations perceptible at ultrasound. The remaining 25 patients (24.5%) had axillary lymph nodes classified as suspicious. In 13 cases of (52%, true positive) there was agreement with histology, whereas in 12 cases (48%, false positive) the US suspicion was not confirmed at surgery. The most important sonographic alteration was the gradual reduction in hilar echogenicity (seen in 100% metastatic nodes); conversely, hilar denting or irregularities, as well as dimensional criteria, proved to be poorly specific. CONCLUSIONS: The sonographic assessment of axillary and internal mammary chain nodes, possibly in addition to core biopsy, improves the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer patients scheduled for conservative surgery of the breast (quadrantectomy) and the axilla (sentinel node biopsy). US findings suspicious for metastatic involvement of axillary lymph nodes should be considered as an exclusion criterion for sentinel node biopsy. A more widespread use of axillary node biopsy and an accurate sonographic evaluation of the excised lymph node increase the specificity of the procedure, allowing a better correlation between sonographic findings and definitive histology.     

卵巢原发性乳头状甲状腺癌的CDFI分析及探讨

目的 探讨卵巢原发性乳头状甲状腺癌的二维及彩色多普勒血流显像特点.方法 对2例经病理学检查确诊的卵巢原发性乳头状甲状腺癌进行二维及彩色多普勒血流显像分析,结合文献对其声像图和血流特点进行探讨.结果 超声显示盆腔或下腹部囊实性包块,多数包块内部以实性回声为主,伴有多房小囊;少数以囊性成分为主伴有分隔及实性结节,彩色多普勒显示实性部分有血供较丰富的高速低阻血流.2例均没有临床恶变及转移的证据.结论 卵巢原发性乳头状甲状腺癌的声像图缺乏明显特征性,必须结合彩色多普勒及其他影像学和实验室检查与其他卵巢肿瘤相鉴别;肿瘤以多房囊实性或多房囊性内有实性成分多见,同时伴有实性部分的低阻动脉血流信号.因此,在超声疑为畸胎瘤的瘤体内测到有明显血流供应的实质或厚分隔成分时,结合临床应高度怀疑卵巢原发性乳头状甲状腺癌.     

16层螺旋CT在甲状腺乳头状癌的诊断价值

目的：总结甲状腺乳头状癌16层螺旋CT表现,提高其诊断准确性。方法回顾性分析52例经手术病理证实的甲状腺乳头状癌的16层螺旋CT表现。结果大部分甲状腺乳头状癌境界不清楚,瘤周“半岛状”瘤结节强化13例,瘤周“残圈征”14例。合并钙化者28例,其中细颗粒状钙化15例,粗颗粒状钙化8例,混合性钙化5例。52例患者中31例发生颈部淋巴结转移,增强后淋巴结明显强化,囊性变5例,合并壁结节4例。结论甲状腺乳头状癌16层螺旋CT表现有一定的特点,16层螺旋CT对甲状腺乳头状癌的定性、显示肿瘤与周围重要器官的关系方面非常有价值。     

CT三期增强扫描对胃癌淋巴结转移的诊断价值

目的:评价螺旋CT三期增强扫描对胃癌淋巴结转移的诊断价值,探讨转移淋巴结的CT三期增强扫描特征。方法:对73例进展期胃癌患者行CT平扫及三期动态增强扫描,并与手术病理结果对照。结果:转移淋巴结的主要CT征象:较小转移淋巴结以实性为主,随直径增大呈环状、囊状改变者增加;强化类型分为实性均匀强化,环带样强化和囊状不强化;强化峰值时间不同,以动脉期达强化峰值者多见。CT三期增强扫描诊断胃癌淋巴结转移的诊断符合率为86.3%,敏感度为86.2%,特异度为86.7%。CT三期增强扫描对转移淋巴结的检出率及诊断准确性高于CT平扫,二者间差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论:CT三期增强扫描可进一步提高对胃癌淋巴结转移的诊断准确性,对术前全面评价淋巴结转移状况有重要临床价值。     

Staging of gastric cancer: correlation of lymph node size and metastatic infiltration.

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of lymphatic metastases is an important factor in the staging of gastric cancer. Lymph node size has been used as one criterion for possible nodal metastasis. Although enlarged regional lymph nodes are generally interpreted as metastases, few data are available that correlate lymph node size with metastatic infiltration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective morphometric study, the regional lymph nodes from 31 gastrectomy specimens of consecutive patients with primary gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed. The lymph nodes were counted, the largest diameter of each node was measured, and each node was analyzed for metastatic involvement by histologic examination. The frequency of metastatic involvement was calculated and correlated to lymph node size. RESULTS: A total of 1253 lymph nodes were present in the 31 specimens examined for this study. A mean number of 40 lymph nodes (range, 20-53) were found in each specimen. Of these 1253 nodes, 922 (74%) were tumor-free and 331 (26%) contained metastases. The mean diameter of the lymph nodes free of metastases was 4.1 mm, whereas that of nodes infiltrated by metastases was 6.0 mm (p < .0001). Of the tumor-free lymph nodes, 735 (80%) were less than 5 mm in diameter, whereas 182 (55%) nodes containing metastases were less than 5 mm in diameter. Of the 10 patients without lymph node metastases, seven had at least one node that was 10 mm or greater in diameter; similarly, 15 (71%) of the 21 patients with node metastases had at least one node that was 10 mm or greater in diameter. CONCLUSION: Lymph node size is not a reliable indicator for lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.     

Gamma probe-guided lymph node dissection ('gamma picking') in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The prognostic significance and the optimal management of regional lymph node metastases in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma continue to be controversial. The current surgical approach for nodal metastases is removal of grossly involved lymph nodes ("berry picking"). In patients with papillary thyroid cancer, this intraoperative sampling technique reveals tumor in only 15% to 60% of excised nodes. However, if a more extensive nodal dissection is undertaken, at least 70% of patients are found to have nodal disease. The authors have successfully used a gamma probe-guided lymph node dissection technique ("gamma picking") to identify visually undetectable micrometastatic lymph nodes at the time of surgical exploration. The authors used this technique in a 52-year-old man with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid that was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration. Eighteen hours before the planned total thyroidectomy, the patient was given 1 mCi I-123 orally. Operative exploration revealed multiple tumor nodules in both lobes but no palpable lymph nodes in the neck. Total thyroidectomy was performed with complete extracapsular removal of both lobes and isthmus. The thyroid bed and the central and lateral nodal basins were scanned using a gamma probe (Neoprobe). Hot spots were identified, and these counts were compared with that of the background activity in the strap muscles. The gamma probe revealed four distinct foci of increased activity (10 times more than the background). These were resected and labeled separately for histopathologic study. Histologic analysis revealed bilateral, multifocal well-differentiated papillary carcinoma, with the largest tumor focus measuring 0.6 cm. Two of the four hot spots proved to be metastatic foci in small lymph nodes measuring less than 0.5 cm. The other two hot spots were thyroid remnants with no associated nodal tissue.     

Identification of inguinal lymph node metastases from vulval carcinoma by magnetic resonance imaging: an initial report

AIM: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has the potential to assess inguinal lymph nodes more accurately than palpation and less invasively than surgical exploration. The objective of this study was to measure the accuracy of MRI in identifying inguinal metastases by demonstrating abnormal lymph node morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 women with vulval malignancy underwent T1- and fat-suppressed T2-weighted surface coil MRI of both groins before surgery. Each groin was prospectively categorised as normal or as having metastatic lymphadenopathy using criteria established in normal volunteers. Histopathological findings in patients undergoing groin dissection for invasive vulval carcinoma were used as validation. RESULTS: MRI had a positive predictive value of 89%, negative predictive value of 91%, sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 91% and accuracy of 90%. The most useful observations on MRI to identify metastatic lymphadenopathy were those of lymph node contour irregularity, cystic change in a lymph node, short axis diameter exceeding 10mm and abnormal long: short axis diameter ratio. CONCLUSION: High resolution MRI of the inguinal regions has potential to screen for lymph node metastases in patients with vulval cancer, with the aim of reducing the number of women who have to undergo groin dissection.