JAPANESE JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Vol. 54 No. 5       2008

ISSN: 0021-5163      UBIC: 151-J

ABSTRACT

Diagnostic imaging now plays an important role in the discrimination of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with head and neck cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas. In these patients, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) are frequently used in clinical situations. Various diagnostic criteria have been proposed by many authors using these two modalities. However, an ideal criterion could not always be applied to all institutions because situations would be quite different among institutions. There would be differences in performance of machine used, convenience of examination and policy foward treatment. Taking these differences into account, how do we establish a criterion? In this article, the basic concept was discussed for determination of a practical criterion. The criterion showing the highest accuracy is not always the best one, since sensitivity is essential for screening. The purpose should be clarified before examination. Moreover, reproducibility is as important as accuracy for diagnosis in a clinical setting. The criterion should be customized for each institution. Key words: computed tomography, ultrasonography, oral cancer, cervical lymph node, metastasis

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