Abstract

Purposes: To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of abnormal cervical lymph nodes and evaluate the diagnostic value of these imaging characteristics in correlation with histopathology.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 60 patients with abnormal cervical lymph nodes, who underwent contrast-enhanced neck MRI at Hue Central Hospital from March 2023 to April 2024. Imaging characteristics including size, shape, hilum, necrosis, contrast enhancement, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were analyzed and compared with histopathological findings.
Results: ADC measurements do not distinguish between malignant and benign nodes. The central ADC cutoff for distinguishing between Lymphoma and metastatic lymph nodes is: 0.998 (10-3 mm2/s) with a sensitivity of 73.5% and specificity of 90.9%. ADC in Lymphoma is low and homogeneous, with little variation at different measurement locations.

Conclusion: MRI, particularly with diffusion-weighted imaging and ADC mapping, is a valuable non-invasive tool for evaluating abnormal cervical lymph nodes and contributes to accurate staging and treatment planning in head and neck cancers.