Ultrasonographic study of the relation of metastatic nodes to the carotid artery

Ultrasonographic studies of the neck were performed in four patients with metastatic lymph nodes that exhibited limited mobility or fixation to the surrounding tissues on palpation to obtain information about the relationship of nodes to the carotid artery. Comparison of the ultrasonograms with the operative findings disclosed that when a metastatic lymph node adhered to the carotid artery, the lymph node pulsated with flattening of the carotid artery and the echoes between the metastatic lymph node and carotid artery were attenuated.