Contrast ultrasound to detect lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer

Purpose: It is well known that angiogenic processes in growing tumors promote increased vessel density and structural abnormalities. Lymph node metastasis of the head and neck cancer also showed this neo-vascularization features in active phase of metastasis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vascular density and morphology in metastatic lymph nodes by using microbubbles as ultrasound contrast-enhancing agent. Material and methods: Twenty patients with head and neck cancer who underwent neck dissection from October 2008 to March 2010 were enrolled. Primary tumors were 8 in hypopharynx, 6 in oral cavit…