Presentation
Right submandibular discomfort. No masses palpable.
Patient Data
Age: 35 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Normal neck ultrasound
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Normal ultrasound findings using high frequency linear probe. Regions include:
- level 1a between digastric muscles
- thyroid isthmus
- both thyroid lobes (which includes carotid and jugular bulb)
- submandibular glands (can be followed from midline - submandibular hilum sits just above myelohyoid)
- parotid glands (focus can be dropped to inspect deep lobes)
- level 2 to hyoid (including jugulodigastric nodes which can be up to 15 mm in normal circumstances)
- level 3 from hyoid to cricoid
- level 4 from cricoid to clavicles
- level 5 from posterior border of sternocleidomastoid
Case Discussion
Ultrasound is an extremely useful modality to review the neck, and is an essential adjunct in tissue sampling / biopsy.
Having a well rehearsed routine is important to avoid missing regions, and also to familiarise yourself with the terminology of nodal levels in particular.