CT Evaluation of Neck Masses

Neck swelling or neck mass is a very common presentation encountered in clinical practice. Because of its highly complex anatomy and physiology, neck disease manifesting as neck swelling can be varied from etiological, pathological and prognostic points of view. The radiological evaluation of neck masses has changed dramatically since the advent of multidetector computed tomography. Aims and Objectives: To assess the role of contrast enhanced CT neck in the evaluation of neck mass: location, morphological characteristics, extent, enhancement pattern and cervical nodal spread. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 60 cases in a clinically suspected neck masses was studied for a 2 year period. Contrast enhanced CT of neck was done using Philips MX 16 CT Scanner with 3-5 mm axial sections. Wherever required Valsalva maneuver and ‘E’ phonation was carried out. Chi square test /Fischer exact test have been used to find the significance of CT scan findings with the final diagnosis. Conclusion: CT helps in precise anatomic localization, extent of the masses, allows differentiation of solid, cystic and mixed masses, tumor staging, pre and postsurgical assessment for better surgical management.