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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Cervical Lymph Nodes
Published on: July 25, 2015
Cervical lymph node biopsies in the evaluation of children with suspected lymphoproliferative disorders: Experience
Jonathan M Sgro1, Emma S Campisi1, Swathi Selvam2
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 1 × 8, Canada.
Background/Purpose:
The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the incidence of lymphoproliferative disorders in a cohort of patients requiring a biopsy at a tertiary pediatric center; and (2) to elucidate the demographic, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging characteristics associated with a malignant diagnosis.
Methods:
A retrospective review of pediatric cervical lymph node biopsies performed between 2012 and 2019 at a tertiary center was undertaken. Demographic data, clinical presentations, laboratory results, diagnostic imaging findings, and pathology results were compiled and analyzed to identify characteristics associated with a malignant diagnosis.
Results:
Malignancy was identified in 49.5% of patients (55/111) subjected to a cervical lymph node biopsy. The median age of patients with a benign diagnosis was lower than malignant diagnosis (11.0 vs. 14.0 years, p < 0.01). Mediastinal lymphadenopathy based on chest radiography and/or computed tomography scan was identified in 37/49 malignant cases (75.5%) CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, 49.5% of biopsies performed at a tertiary pediatric setting yielded a malignant diagnosis. Traditional clinical characteristics such as weight loss, night sweats and nodal texture were not informative when derived retrospectively. The most valuable features identified were increased age, increased long and short axis measurements of the involved node(s), and the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III.
