Power Doppler sonography of normal cervical lymph nodes

This study was undertaken to investigate the vascular patterns and resistan ce of normal cervical nodes by power Doppler sonography In 101 subjects who had sonographic examination of the neck, 1050 lymph nodes were detected. O nly central vascularity was found in normal cervical nodes. The degree of v ascularity in submental and submandibular nodes was higher than that in oth er regional nodes. Submental nodes had a higher vascular resistance in asso ciation with a lower blood flow velocity than other regional nodes. No sign ificant difference was found in blood flow velocities and vascular resistan ce between male and female subjects. The vascular resistance increased sign ificantly with age. This study provides a baseline for vascularity within n ormal cervical nodes, as seen by power Doppler sonography.