MR imaging of lymph nodes in the head and neck

Makiko Ishikawa; Yoshimi Anzai

doi:10.1016/j.nic.2004.07.007

MR imaging of lymph nodes in the head and neck

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2004 Nov;14(4):679-94. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2004.07.007.

Authors

Makiko Ishikawa¹, Yoshimi Anzai

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Box 357115, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-7115, USA.

PMID: 15489148
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2004.07.007

Abstract

This article reviews imaging-based nodal classification, recent advancements in MR imaging techniques for lymph node imaging, and characteristics of MR imaging for necklymphadenopathy. Further technical development of MR imaging is necessary to improve accuracy of diagnosis of lymph node metastases in patients with no head and neck cancer. Development of new tissue-specific MR contrast agents and functional imaging studies to address biologic activity of lymph nodes is essential in the future.