Short-time ultrasound of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma under radiotherapy

To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma before and during radiotherapy (RT), consecutive p atients with macroscopic lesions were examined before and during RT. Each s can was performed percutaneously in a short time (less than 5 min). The dem onstration rate of primary tumors and the largest node of previously known metastatic cervical nodes were measured. Of all 190 patients, 91 primary tu mors were detected (47.9%). Primary tumors in oral cavity, oropharynx, hypo pharynx and cervical esophagus were determined in over 70% and, for those o f nasopharynx and larynx, the demonstration rates were 30% or less. Nodal m etastases were visualized in 78 of 80 patients with regional metastases (97 .5%). Using the above information, 73 patients (38.4%) received the benefit of radiation therapy. Short-time sonography is a valuable modality for pat ients with selected sites of head and neck cancers. (E-mail: miyasita@nms.a c.jp) (C) 2001 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.