Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Detection and Characterisation of Benign and Malignant Non Lymphoid Masses of the Neck and its Concordance with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Introduction: Computed Tomography (CT) enables the evaluation of both osseous and soft tissue details and has become an important imaging modality in the evaluation of patients presenting with a neck mass. The study was conducted to justify the usefulness of Multidetector CT (MDCT) in patients presenting with neck lesions.

Aim: To detect benign and malignant non lymphoid lesions of the neck using MDCT imaging features and compare it with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study undertaken in a Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, India, the duration of the study, from June 2021 to May 2022. Contrast Enhanced CT (CECT) was performed with a 16 slice MDCT scanner pre and postcontrast administration. The benign and malignant lesions were evaluated by their enhancement patterns, necrosis, bony and vascular invasion and extension to adjacent neck space. The results were compared with FNAC being considered the gold standard, sensitivity and accuracy of CT was determined. The collected data was analysed with International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0.

Results: Of the total 95 patients who were enrolled in to the study, 38 patients were females and 57 patients were males, the mean age of the subjects studied were 45.1±17.4 years, 67 cases were benign lesions and 28 cases were malignant lesions by FNA. The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT was found to be 78.6% and 95.5%, respectively with a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 88.0% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 0f 91.4%.

Conclusion: MDCT is precise in differentiating malignant from benign lesions of the neck and defining the extent of the lesions and involvement of adjacent structures.