Lymph node hilus: Gray scale and power Doppler sonography of cervical nodes

Objective. To investigate the difference in the nodal hilus evaluated by gray scale and power Doppler sonography. Methods. One hundred ninety-two patients with proven cervical lymphadenopathy were included in the study (metastases, n = 118; tuberculosis, n = 56; and lymphoma, n = 18). Lymph nodes were evaluated by gray scale sonography for the echogenic hilus and power Doppler sonography for hilar vascularity. Results. Hilar vascularity was found even though the lymph node did not show an echogenic hilus on gray scale sonography (metastases, 59%; tuberculosis, 66%; and lymphoma, 91%). Conclusions. Sonologists should be aware that gray scale and Doppler sonography show different aspects of the hilus, and the absence of the hilus on gray scale sonography does not necessarily imply an associated absence of hilar vascularity.