Role of ultrasonography in the differential diagnostics of neck masses.

Ultrasonography of 70 cases of palpable neck masses are analyzed. On the basis of histological diagnoses the cases are put into groups of cysts, tumors and other lesions of the neck. According to this grouping the aetiological factors are also discussed (congenital lesions: mainly cysts, lesions of the salivary glands and the parotid gland, thyroid and parathyroid diseases, vascular lesions). The diagnostic value of ultrasonography is calculated in view of the morphological signs of a given lesion. The specificity, sensitivity and the accuracy of ultrasonography in our material supports the view that in the differential diagnostics of neck masses ultrasonography is a useful, simple and effective tool.