| Objective:To study the characteristics of cervical cystic lymph nodes on multi-slice spiral CT images.Methods:Clinical data and multi-slice spiral CT images of 149 cystic lesions of cervical lymph node confirmed by surgery and pathological examination in 104 patients from two hospitals from January 2006 to June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The location, shape, size, wall, boundary of these lesions were evaluated with a focus on the clinical symptoms and CT findings.χ2 test, analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis.Results:Cervical cystic lymph nodes may stand for cystic metastases, suppurative lymphadenitis, tuberculosis or lymphoma, mainly located in the chain of the jugular vein. Among 149 cervical cystic lymph nodes,54 were confirmed as metastases, mainly in male patient with a definite primary malignant tumor. CT characteristics of these lesions included less than lcm in diameter, high density of contents, significant enhancement of the wall and local papillar prominency.28 suppurative lymphadenitis, with typical clinical symptoms of pain, presented as a single lesion with fuzzy boundaries and intra-cystic compartments.8 cervical lymph node tuberculosis, mainly found in female patients, appeared Integration and fistula formation in some cases.14 lymphoma appeared multiple and integration lesions. Generally speaking, benign lesions (suppurative lymphadenitis, lymph node tuberculosis) occurred mainly in younger patients and had irregular shape and thick wall on CT images. Malignant lesions (metastases, lymphoma) often attacked older people and showed round/ round-like shape and thin wall on CT. There were significant differences between benign and malignant lesions(P<0.05).Conclusion:Contrast enhanced CT can clearly show the shape, size, wall thickness and surrounding structures of cervical cystic lymph node lesions, which is valuable in differential diagnosis of various causes. |
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