DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i12.034

Pages: 4961-4966

Radiological evaluation of neck masses have changed dramatically since the advent of multidetector computed tomography which permits precise anatomical localization and characterization. The present study was carried out in 59 patients with clinical suspicion of having malignant neck mass with proven histological diagnosis. CT features of malignant neck masses were studied with relevance to enhancement, presence of necrosis, calcification, vascular invasion, obliteration of fat planes and bony invasion. The commonest malignant neck mass was metastases from aerodigestive tract, thyroid gland malignancy was detected in 10 cases. The metastatic nodes from oral cavity were mostly found in levels IA, IB, II and III while nodes from carcinoma larynx and oropharynx were mainly seen in levels II, III and IV. The malignant tumors revealed ill-defined margins, heterogeneous enhancement with invasion of adjacent fat and fascial planes. Contrast enhanced computed tomography of neck gives anatomical extent, characterization of malignant neck masses and cervical nodal spread.