Original scientific paper
The Lymph Node Roundness Index in the Evaluation of Lymph Nodes of the Neck
Branko Krišto
orcid.org/0000-0001-5533-2748
; County Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marko Buljan
; County Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
The study assessed the validity of the lymph node »roundness index« (RI) in the evaluation of enlarged lymph nodes
of the neck. A total of 107 subjects were included in the prospective study, and 135 enlarged lymph nodes were examined.
All the subjects were examined clinically and sonographically, the lymph node roundness index was determined, and soon
after the nodes was surgically removed and pathohistologically diagnosed. On the basis of pathohistological diagnosis
the study subjects were divided into two groups. The fi rst group consisted of patients with benign lymph nodes, and the
second one comprised patients with malignant nodes. The second group was further divided into two sub-groups: those
with primary malignant nodes and those with secondary lymph nodes (metastases). The study showed that the lymph
node RI statistically differs between the groups. In benign lymphadenopathy the RI was 1.66±0.26, in primary malignant
lymphadenopathy it was 1.31±0.25 and in secondary malignant lymphadenopathy 1.13±0.11. The analysis demonstrated
that 82.9% of subjects randomly chosen from the group with primary malignant lymphadenopathy and 94.6% from the
group with the secondary malignant lymphadenopathy have a smaller RI compared to randomly chosen subjects from
the group with benign lymphadenopathy. Sensitivity of the method for primary malignant lymphadenopathy was 66.7%
and specifi city was 92.9%. For secondary malignant lymphadenopathy the sensitivity was 95.5% and specifi city 92.9%.
Based on this result we can conclude that the lymph node RI is a valid, simple, cost-effective and non-aggressive method
which may »increase the suspicion« for a benign or malignant lymphadenopathy. RI≤1.5 is indicative of malignant lymphadenopathy
and RI≥1.5 of benign lymphadenopathy.
Keywords
ultrasonography; roundness index; lymphadenopathy
Hrčak ID:
147709
URI
Publication date:
30.3.2015.
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