Flow imaging of residual neck lymph nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography after radiotherapy

Abstract

To explore the value of flow imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound for residual neck lymph nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. Blood flow imaging of 50 residual cervical lymph nodes in 36 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy was observed and compared by color doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. In the 50 remaining lymph nodes in the neck, 40 blood flow signals were increased, 10 did not significant change by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The blood flow in residual lymph nodes by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was richer than that by color doppler ultrasound. There was a significant difference in the blood flow signals between contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and color doppler ultrasound (chi(2)=49.172, P<0.01). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can help blood flow imaging of the residual lymph nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy, which may provide the imaging basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.