[Computed tomography of cervical lymph node metastases in malignant tumors of the head and neck region].

The lymphatic spread in 123 patients with biopsy-proven malignant head and neck tumors was evaluated by CT in a prospective study. In 53 cases, clinical examination, CT and pathological-histological work-up of the surgical specimens were comparatively analysed. The fraction of false-negative judged lymph nodes by palpation was 21%. This high error in judgement could be diminished to 7.5% by the use of CT. 83% of squamous cell metastases showed a central decrease in density due to necrosis after intravenous infusion of contrast material.