Diagnostic Accuracy of Elastography to Differentiate Between Benign and Malignant Lymph Nodes of Head and Neck Region taking Histopathology as the Gold Standard

Objective: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of Elastography to distinguish between benign and malignant lymph nodes of the head and neck region; taking histopathology as the gold standard. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Radiology Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jul to Oct 2021. Methodology: Elastography, Color Doppler and B-mode ultrasound were used to examine fifty participants with enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Elastographic forms (1–5) were characterized based on the hard area in the cervical lymph nodes. In addition, the shear wave elastography of cervical lymph nodes was evaluated. Outcomes of diagnostic sono-elastographic parameters were matched with the histopathology of lymph nodes as a reference of standard. Results: The mean age of patients was 30.50±8.95 years. Out of 50 patients, 31(62%) were men, and 19(38%) were women. Out of 50 patients enrolled, 29(58%) showed benign lymph nodes, while 21(42%) showed malignant lymph nodes on elastography.All 50 patients underwent a biopsy for histopathology. Conclusion: Ultrasound elastography has high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lymph nodes. Therefore, it can be used as a reliable and non-invasive modality for diagnosing lymphadenopathy in the cervical region. Keywords: Cervical, Elasticity imaging techniques, Elastography, Lymph nodes, Lymphadenopathy, Neck, Ultrasound