Objective: To evaluate N staging of cervical lymph nodes with positive palpation objectively.
Method: Serial sections of lymph nodes of neck dissections with transparent methods were observed under light microscope.
Result: 81 lymph nodes with pathological metastases were verified in 100 patients with 114 palpation positive lymph nodes. The correspondent rate was 71.1%. The correspondent rate of clinical N via pathological N staging was N1 35.6%, N2a 25.0%, N2b 58.3%, N2c 75.0%, N3 100.0% respectively.
Conclusion: N staging judged only by palpation is not sufficient in clinic. It should be combined with other examinations.