MALIGNANT CAROTID INVASION - SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS

Malignant invasion of the carotid artery is an ominous complication of squamous cell carcinoma that can be suspected from B-mode sonography. A loss of carotid wall integrity seen as a break or step off of the i nner wall suggests early involvement. Frank tumor invading the lumen i s an end-stage event. Both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging a re 100% sensitive in the evaluation that no carotid involvement has oc curred. In one study, ultrasound was 75% specific and magnetic resonan ce was 87.5% specific. If the ultrasound is problematic, magnetic reso nance may clarify the issue.