English

Abstract

There is wide range of pathological neck masses from benign inflammatory conditions to frankly malignant lesions, which may be congenital or acquired. These neck mass may be an incidental finding on the general physical examination. The close proximity of various structures in the neck creates a diagnostic problem. The precise anatomical location and imaging appearances are important for accurate diagnosis and formulating the differential diagnoses of neck masses. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) enable radiological characterization of normal and diseased structures in the neck in ways that were previously not possible. With the advent of high frequency ultrasound (US) probes, superficial structures are visualized very conveniently and with great spatial solution. Ability of CT to give tissue attenuation values gives a fair insight into the nature of the lesion. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: In this study we planned to evaluate palpable neck masses with US and CT, and comparing their efficacy. MATERIAL & METHOD: The present study was conducted in the Department of Radio-diagnosis, TMMC & RC, TMU, Moradabad. Patients under study were referred from the department of Surgery, ENT, Medicine and Pediatrics. Patients included for study were evaluated by Clinical and Radiological examination .The age range in the present study was from 3 to 80 years and total number of patients were 40 (including both male and females). RESULT: 1. On examination distribution of lesions was found to be Inflamatory- 17.5%, Developmental- 7.5%, Thyroid masses-30%, Mesenchymal-10%, Neural 5%, Vascular-5%, Bone5%, Lymph nodes-10%, & Salivary gland mass-10%. 2. The Male to Female ratio in the present study = 1.22:1 CONCLUSION: Ultrasound complimented coupled with Computed Tomography is of immense help in the diagnosis and better management of palpable neck masses.