Observational study reveals normal facial nodes are undetectable on CT while metastases typically mark recurrent cancer, highlighting specific diagnostic challenges in facial malignancy.
Key Points
To determine the normal and abnormal appearance of facial lymph nodes on contrast-enhanced computed tomography.
Prospective evaluation of contrast-enhanced CT scans in 200 control patients without risk of facial node metastasis.
Prospective evaluation of 100 consecutive patients with extensive primary or recurrent epidermal, sinonasal, or oral cavity cancers to evaluate metastatic prevalence.
Retrospective review of 21 patients with radiologically confirmed facial node metastases imaged over an 11-year interval.
Normal facial lymph nodes could not be reliably identified on contrast-enhanced CT scans.
Metastatic facial lymphadenopathy occurred predominantly in the setting of recurrent neoplastic disease rather than primary presentation.
Infraorbital lymph nodes served as the primary site of origin for lymphomas localized to the canine fossa.