Accuracy of the preoperative diagnostic workup in patients with head and neck cancers undergoing neck dissection in terms of nodal metastases

• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06324-w
• Publication Date: 2020-08-29T14:04:47Z
• Authors: Angéla Horváth; Péter Prekopp; Gábor Polony; Eszter Székely; László Tamás; Kornél Dános
• Keywords: Neck dissection

Abstract Purpose The presence of cervical lymph node metastases is one the most influential prognostic factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. management clinically N0 patients with cancer remains controversial: elective dissection has relatively high morbidity, adversely affecting quality life, however, abandoning known to compromise overall survival numerous primaries. purpose this study was evaluate accuracy conventional imaging modalities (CT, MRI, US) fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) detection neck. Methods Sixty two were included study, who underwent primary tumor resection dissection. Preoperative nodal status compared postoperative histopathology status. In our retrospective we reviewed patient documentation. Statistical analysis data—with descriptive statistics correlation analysis—was performed Chi-square test. Results sensitivity FNAC 82.8% 81.8%, respectively, while specificity 73.9% 100%, respectively. Positive predictive value calculated for 82.8%, negative values 66.6%, Conclusion Neither nor reached none these methods can definitively exclude regional metastasis. According data, no permissive alteration should be allowed from current guidelines (e.g. NCCN) based on imaging/FNAC examinations regarding need