Chapter 5 Ultrasound Characteristics of Benign vs Malignant Cervical Lymph Nodes

With approximately 800 lymph nodes in the body, and more than one-third found within the head and neck, lymph nodes are a common site for neck pathology. Differentiation between benign and malignant lymph nodes is critical in accurate prognosis; similarly, treatment hinges on accurate identification of the etiology of the pathologic process. Key gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound criteria can help accurately distinguish between benign and malignant lymph nodes.