Angiographic features of lateral cervical masses.

An audible bruit may represent a clue to the vascular nature of the lesion. Angiography is definitely indicated in the presence of pulsatile cervical masses with or without an associated bruit, and should be more widely utilized in the future for evaluation of cervical masses. In addition to the nature of the mass, angiography may also be of value in outlining the extent of the mass and its relationship to major vessels. Magnification and subtraction angiographic techniques with their improved detail may play an important role in clarifying the etiology of cervical masses, and hence facilitate the plan of therapy. If reasonable uncertainty as to the clinical diagnosis exists, angiography should be considered a diagnostic aid.