Diagnostic Accuracy of Elastography to Differentiate Between Benign and Malignant Lymph Nodes of Head and Neck Region Taking Histopathology as Gold Standard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.3136Keywords:
Elastography, Strain index, enlarged lymph nodesAbstract
Objective: To find out diagnostic accuracy of elastography to discern malignant from benign lymph nodes of head and neck region while the histopathology remains as gold standard. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital Multan over a period of eight months from September 2024 to April 2025. Methodology: Patients of either gender with enlarged (≥10 millimeter) lymph nodes presenting to radiology department were selected and subjected to elastography strain index measurement. Lymph nodes with this value ≥2 were categorized as malignant. Biopsy sample was taken from all under study lymph nodes and subjected to histopathology which confirmed or rejected the validation of elastography strain index measurement. Results: The mean age of the participants turned out to be 37.4±15.1 years. Mean BMI was 25.7±2.2 kg/m2. Elastography strain index had diagnostic accuracy of 87.5%, sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predicted Value and Negative Predicted Value were 81.43%, 94.83%, 95% and 80.88% respectively. Conclusion: Elastography strain index measurement is a reliable yet noninvasive modality to discern malignant from benign cervical lymph nodes. It should be used as a valuable adjunct to other already prevailing ultra-sonographic modalities
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