Efficacy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of swellings of orofacial region: An original research

Abstract

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis of a head and neck swelling is of paramount importance. Various disease processes may affect head and neck regions which present clinically as swellings. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) in the diagnosis of swellings of the head and neck regions. The objectives of this study were to assess the reliability of USG in differentiating various swellings of head and neck region and to correlate between diagnosis of swellings by clinical, histopathological, and by USG. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients with an age range of 15–70 years and clinically obvious swellings in the head and neck region were included. After clinical examination, all the seventy patients were subjected to ultrasonographic investigation. Features like shape, boundary, echo intensity, presence of necrosis and calcifications, and posterior echoes were considered in describing the ultrasonographic images of swellings. Following clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis, surgical intervention was carried out. The obtained biopsy specimens were submitted for histopathological examination and a final diagnosis was made. Statistical Analysis: The collected data were subsequently processed and analyzed using the SPSS statistical package version 17. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was found to be 98% in the diagnosis of cystic lesions, 98.47% in benign tumors, 98.57% in malignant tumors, 100% in lymphadenopathies, and in muscle origin and 94.29% in space infections and abscesses. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, together with clinical and histopathological examinations, USG works out as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of orofacial swellings.

Keywords

• cysts
• orofacial region
• swellings
• ultrasound