Imaging techniques for the detection of lymph node metastasis in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

The purpose of the study was a systematic literature review of imaging assessment of lymph node metastasis in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Material and methods. In order to review the most relevant scientific literature available, we searched Elibrary, Medline databases (from January 2005 to December 2017). Of 735 identified studies, 32 were assessed. Results. The role of ultrasonography, spiral computer tomography, magnetic resonance tomography, positron emission tomography in the assessment of regional metastatic spread in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer was analyzed. All these imaging techniques failed to reliably identify clinically occult lymph node metastases. However, the choice of treatment options for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer depends considerably on the diagnostic accuracy. In this context, the concept of sentinel lymph nodes deserves special attention. Conclusion. Further studies of the sentinel lymph node concept using various radiopharmaceutical drugs in the detection of preclinical regional metastasis in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer are required.