Magnetic resonance imaging in lymphomatous adenopathy of the neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more effective than computed tomography (CT) in demonstrating lymphadenopathy of the neck. [1] In the case presented here, a 25-year-old woman was seen with a localized soft tissue mass in the left side of the neck, which was consistent with lymphadenopathy. This was confirmed on CT (figure 1). Histologically, the lesion turned out to be a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Following the biopsy, MRI proved to be a more effective modality in demonstrating the involvement of the lymphadenopathy in the deep cervical chain (figure 2) and its dramatic extension into the superior mediastinum, with invasion into the superior portion of the pericardium.

From the Department of Radiology, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Ill.

Reference

(1.) Harnsberger HR. The infrahyoid neck: Normal anatomy and pathology of the head and neck from the hyoid bone to the clavicles. In: Harnsberger HR, ed. Handbook of Head and Neck Imaging. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Moshy-Year Book, 1999:150-98.