A cross section study on diagnostic role of ultrasonography (USG) in neck swellings was done in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of this institution. The study of ultrasonographic features of various neck swellings was done in fifty patients. The mean age of subjects was 33.04 years with a range from 1 year to 79 years and the maximum number of cases were in the age group of 31-39 years. Male and female incidence was 24% and 76% respectively. Out of 50 patients who underwent USG examination 76% had thyroid swelling. Various ultrasonographic features like echogenicity, echotextures were noted. 68% of patients had mass with solid consistency on USG while 32% had cystic nature. 72% of patients were recorded with hypoechogenic echotexture on USG. Benign nature of swelling was diagnosed on 78% of patients. 12% of neck swelling patients had features predictive of malignancy on USG. Clinical diagnosis and USG diagnosis was correlated and found to have a diagnostic accuracy of 86%. Thyroid swellings (38)100% the diagnostic value of USG was 86% for benign lesions and 14% in malignant lesions. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed 76% benign lesions and 24% malignant thyroid swellings. Patients presenting with a neck mass whether benign or malignant need a methodical approach for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. USG helps in differentiating the true nature of swelling whether as solid or cystic. In the present study USG of thyroid clearly provides conformity on benign pathology and prediction regarding malignant nature. USG provides information regarding benign or malignant nature of lymph nodes. From the present study it can be concluded that for proper diagnosis of thyroid lesion, FNAC is the main diagnostic modality along with ultrasonography.
Key words: FNAC, Neck mass, Neck swelling, Ultrasonography
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