The contribution of second generation echo enhancers to the assessment of the true nodal status in HNSCC-patients

Introduction: For proper treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) the dissection of cervical lymph nodes in patients with clinically negative neck is mandatory even if in many cases histopathologic investigation of the dissected lymph nodes remains negative. Approximation of the performance of preoperative imaging modalities to the golden standard of microscopic evaluation has the promise for saving noninvolved necks from unnecessary surgical interventions in the future. We therefore sought to determine the contribution of contrast enhanced ultrasound in the nodal staging of HNSCC patients. Pa…