Normal head and neck lymph nodes in the paediatric population
J Alves Rosa1, J S Calle-Toro2, M Kidd3
1University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, UK; North Bristol NHS Trust, UK.
Clinical Radiology
|February 9, 2021
Summary
This study defines normal head and neck lymph node sizes in children. Larger, rounder lymph nodes can be normal findings in pediatric patients, varying by location and age.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Head and Neck Anatomy
Background:
- Accurate assessment of pediatric head and neck lymph nodes is crucial for differentiating normal findings from pathology.
- Establishing normative data is essential for interpreting imaging studies in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the normal range of head and neck lymph node distribution, size, and shape in a pediatric population.
- To provide reference values for radiologists interpreting pediatric brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 200 pediatric brain MRI examinations (age 5 months to 16 years).
- Exclusion of cases with potential causes of lymphadenopathy.
- Assessment of eight head and neck regions for lymph node presence, measurement of short and long axes, and calculation of the short/long axis ratio.
Main Results:
- Deep cervical, submandibular, and posterior cervical nodes were most commonly identified.
- Mean long axis measurements were largest for submandibular (19.7 mm), deep cervical (18.1 mm), and posterior cervical (15.4 mm) nodes.
- Pre-auricular, occipital, and submental nodes showed the most oval shapes (S/L ratio 0.64, 0.63, 0.6).
- A stronger positive correlation between occipital and deep cervical lymph node size and age was observed.
Conclusions:
- This study characterizes normal head and neck lymph node appearance in healthy children.
- Findings suggest that larger and rounder lymph nodes can be normal variants in pediatric patients.
- Age and anatomical location are important factors in interpreting lymph node morphology.
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