Duplex colour Doppler sonography - role in neck metastasis

The present study was done to evaluate the rote of Duplex colour Doppler Sonography in neck metastasis. 30 patients with primary head and neck cancer were evaluated by Duplex colour Doppier sonography and results analysed. In more than 95% of cases, the vascular status could be established before any form of therapy was instituted. Compression and infiltration of carotids and internal jugular vein (IJV) could be demonstrated and a structured and dynamic relationship of metastatic nodes to the vessel wall was established.Doppier ultrasonography was found to be of high value in evaluating medium and large sized neck vessels but was of limited utility in the analysis of ncovascularisatlon within a metastatic node. This provided an operating roadmap for planning treatment. It is suggested that Colour Doppier Sonographic evaluation should be made a standard protocol in assessment of metastatic neck disease before instituting any form of therapy.