Imaging Strategies for Pediatric Neck Lesions: A Contemporary Review

Pediatric neck lesions comprise a heterogeneous spectrum of congenital, inflammatory, vascular, and neoplastic conditions that often present overlapping clinical features. Because physical examination alone is frequently insufficient for an accurate diagnosis, imaging plays a crucial role in lesion characterization, differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up. US is generally the initial imaging modality owing to its accessibility and the absence of ionizing radiation, whereas CT and MRI provide complementary information regarding lesion extent, tissue composition, and anatomical relationships. This review summarizes current imaging strategies and characteristic imaging findings for common pediatric neck lesions.