CT perfusion study of neck lymph nodes

Objective To study the CT perfusion features of various lymph nodes in the neck.Methods Dynamic perfusion CT scanning was performed in 83 neck lymph nodes proved by pathology,including tuberculosis lymph nodes, lymphoma and metastatic lymph nodes. The shapes, blood flow modes,and perfusion parameters of these lymph nodes were compared among 3 groups. Statistical analysis of L/T and CT perfusion parameters was performed by one-way ANOVA and LSD test. Results The values of MTT of tuberculosis lymph nodes, lymphoma and metastatic lymph nodes were (28. 13 ±5.08), (31.08 ±5.82),and ( 11.24 ±5.31 ) s,respectively. The MTT of metastatic lymph nodes was statistically lower than that of tuberculosis lymph nodes and lymphoma (P ＜ 0. 05). Their frequencies of marginal blood flow were 5/9,4/19, and 39/55 (70. 9% ), respectively. The frequency of marginal blood flow in the tuberculosis lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes was statistically higher than that of lymphoma ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Their frequencies of central blood flow were 2/9, 11/19, and 9/55 (16.4%), respectively. The frequency of central blood flow in the lymphoma was statistically higher than that of tuberculosis lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Their values of L/T were 1.82 ± 0. 32, 1. 80 ± 0. 39, and 1.84 ± 0. 36,(40. 98 ±6. 62) s,respectively. There were no significant differences in L/T, BF, BV and TTP among tuberculosis lymph nodes, lymphoma and metastatic lymph nodes( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion CT perfusion,especially combination functional imaging with perfusion images may be helpful in judging the nature of neck lymph nodes. Key words: Lymph nodes;  Tomography,X-ray computed