[The extracapsular spread of cervical lymph node metastases: the diagnostic value of computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of computed tomography in the determination of extracapsular neoplastic spread and soft tissue infiltration of cervical lymph nodes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospectively 165 CT reports of patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head-neck region were compared with the histologic specimens after neck dissection.

RESULTS

CT reached a sensitivity of 80.9% in the determination of extra-capsular neoplastic spread. The infiltration of cervical muscles and the jugular vein was always determined but-often diagnosed false-positive. Therefore, the overall specificity in determining extracapsular neoplastic spread was low with 72.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of computed tomography (76.3%) in the determination of extracapsular neoplastic spread, infiltration of cervical muscles and the jugular vein is only partially satisfying.