Real-time ultrasound elastography for the differentiation of malignant and benign masses in the head and neck


KUMRAL T. L., Yildirim G., Önol S. D., Ataç E., UYAR Y., COŞKUN Z. Ü.

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, cilt.25, sa.6, ss.1971-1974, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 25 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2014
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1097/scs.0000000000001009
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1971-1974
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Doppler ultrasonography, elastography, pathology, screening
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate head and neck masses with real-time elastography to differentiate malignant masses. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2012, a total of 51 patients with a palpable mass in the neck region were included in this study. Excisional histopathologic data were compared with elastographic results and Doppler ultrasonography. Results: The study group comprised 27 males (52.9%) and 24 females (47.1%) (mean [SD] age, 41.47 [19.59] y; range, 4-80 y). Fourteen masses were malignant (27.5%) and 37 were benign (72.5%). Comparing the elastographic results of benign and malignant masses, elastographic scores of the malignant masses were significantly higher than those of the benign masses (P < 0.005). The elastographic scores were divided into 2 groups: 34 (91.9%) patients with the diagnosis of benign mass had the score of 1 to 2, whereas 9 (64.3%) patients with the diagnosis of malignant cases had the score of 3 to 4. There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.005). However, 2 squamous cell carcinomas (28.6%) and 1 lymphoma (8.1%) were diagnosed with an elastographic score of 1 (Table 2). This showed that even an elastographic score of 1 was not enough to issue a diagnosis of benign masses. Conclusions: With improvements in the device and increased experience, this modality can become a useful tool for the routine use. However, this modality cannot be used for screening to merely provide additional information about the nature of the masses.