Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with MRI for cervical hyperplastic, tuberculosis-infected, and metastatic lymph nodes

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cervical abnormal lymph nodes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 150 patients undergoing lymph node examinations at Hangzhou Chest Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. According to the characteristics of lymph nodes, the patients were divided into three groups: 45 patients had hyperplastic lymph nodes (HLNs; Group-A), 55 had lymph node tuberculosis (LNTB; Group-B), 50 had metastatic lymph nodes (MLN; Group-C). We compared the ultrasonic examination and MRI results between the groups, and compared the diagnostic value of CEUS alone and CEUS plus MRI. Results Lower resistance indexes (RI) for Groups-A and B than Group-C( P P P P P P P P Conclusion CEUS combined with MRI can significantly facilitate the differential diagnosis between HLNs, LNTB, and MLNs. The two diagnosis methods combined improve the diagnosis accuracy of cervical lymph node diseases.