Anil Kumar Geetha Virupakshappa1, Ashok Kumar2, Sushma Kenkare Lokanatha3
BACKGROUND
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the imaging of choice and the most
commonly used investigation in head and neck lesions, because of its fast and
readily available nature. Our study focused on contrast enhanced multidetector CT
profile of neck masses in determining their nature among different demographic
profile. It provides volumetric helical data, optimal multiplanar and 3D
reconstructions.
METHODS
This is a retrospective observational study carried out in the Department of
Radiology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, among 60 cases of
clinically diagnosed neck masses, from December 2011 to June 2013. All patients
were selected from out-patient departments (OPD) and indoor wards of various
departments (mostly from ENT department). Few cases were also taken from Dr.
B. Baruah Cancer Institute. Patients from both sexes and all ages were included
as part of the study. Chi square test/Fischer exact test have been used to find the
significance of association of CT scan findings with the final diagnosis. Diagnostic
statistics such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative
predictive value (NPV) and accuracy have been used to find the correlation of CT
scan with the final diagnosis.
RESULTS
Thin slice scanning with thinner reconstructions, maximum intensity production
(MIP), shaded surface display (SSD), multiplanar reformation (MPR) and curved
reformatted images are the advantages of MDCT. CT has 100 % accuracy in bony
involvement detection and 96 % accuracy in neck lesion diagnosis. Therefore, CT
can accurately localise and characterise the neck lesions.
CONCLUSIONS
The neck lesion location and its characteristics determination has significantly
improved because of computed tomography. Bone erosions and expansion are
accurately determined by a CT scan. CT scan can accurately delineate the disease
that provides a definite pre-operative diagnosis, planning radiotherapy ports and
post therapy follow up.
