Characterization of Axillary Lymph Nodes as Normal, Reactive and Benign Using Conventional Ultrasonography

Abstract

Background: Detection of abnormalities of axillary lymph nodes is important for the diagnosis of different pathologies. Objective: The purpose of this present study was to see the accuracy of conventional USG for the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Radiology & Imaging at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2012 to June 2013 for a period of one year. Normal healthy woman who came for screening of breast disease without any symptoms and did not have any abnormality on USG was included as normal patient. Axillary lymph nodes from these normal patients were categorized as benign lymph nodes. Patients, who came with the complaints of mastalgia with normal breast findings, were included as patients with mastalgia. The lymph nodes from the patients of mastalgia were considered as reactive lymph nodes and patients with known breast cancer and lymph node metastasis were included as malignant patients. Metastatic lymph nodes from breast cancer patients were included. Result: In benign vs reactive the area under curve for long axis diameter was 0.534 (p=0.307), short axis diameter was 0.589 (p=0.007), sinus length 0.492 (p=0.798), cortical thickness was 0.684 (p=0.0001) short long ratio was 0.570 (p=0.033), sinus long ratio 0.445 (p=0.095) cortex short axis ratio 0.641 (p=0.0001). Conclusion: The accuracy of conventional USG is good diagnostic modalities for the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes.Journal of Science Foundation, January 2016;14(1):8-16