Evaluation of Cervical Lymph Nodes in Head and Neck Cancer With CT and MRI: Tips, Traps, and a Systematic Approach

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we present a 4-step approach to evaluating lymph nodes in the setting of head and neck squamous cell and thyroid carcinoma and highlight important tips and traps. CONCLUSION: The presence and extent of nodal metastases in head and neck cancer has a great impact on treatment and prognosis. Pretreatment CT and MRI of the neck are commonly performed to evaluate for nodal metastases.