Sonography of the Neck: Current Potentials and Limitations

Zusammenfassung

Die hochauflösende Sonographie ist bei vielen klinischen Fragestellungen der Halsweichteile das erste bildgebende Verfahren. Halszysten, Lipome, Paragangliome, neurogene Tumoren, Hämangiome und Lymphangiome zeigen zumeist eine typische sonographische Morphologie. Die Sonographie wird in der Beurteilung von Weichteilraumforderungen und von Halslymphknoten erfolgreich eingesetzt. Die meisten Speicheldrüsenpathologien können sonographisch diagnostiziert werden. Die Sonographie kann zur gezielten Punktion von Lymphknoten, Weichteiltumoren und Speicheldrüsenläsionen eingesetzt werden. Zudem kann die Relation von Tumoren zu den großen Halsgefäßen beurteilt werden. Die Farbdopplersonographie kann die Differenzialdiagnose von Weichteilraumforderungen weiter einengen. Wie mit allen bildgebenden Verfahren ist aber eine histologische Diagnose mittels Ultraschall nicht möglich.

Abstract

For many clinical conditions, sonography is the first line imaging modality in the evaluation of cervical soft tissue lesions. Cervical cysts, lipomas, paragangliomas, neurogenic tumours, haemangiomas or lymphangiomas usually display a typical sonographic morphology. Sonography can be used for evaluation of soft tissue lesions and cervical lymph node assessment. Most of the afflictions of the salivary glands can be diagnosed sonographically. Sonography is also used for guided biopsy of lymph nodes, cervical soft tissue tumours or salivary gland lesions. The relationship of tumours or lymph nodes to the great cervical vessels can be evaluated. Colour Doppler can visualise the vascularisation of cervical soft tissue lesions, often narrowing down the differential diagnosis.

Schlüsselwörter

Ultraschall - Farbdopplersonographie - Kopf-Hals-Tumoren - Lymphknoten - Halszysten - Speicheldrüsen

Key words

Ultrasound - colour Doppler - head and neck tumours - lymph nodes - branchial cysts - salivary glands

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