Diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound in the detection of inguinofemoral metastases

Ultrasonographic assessment of inguinofemoral lymph nodes has been proposed as an alternative to standard imaging techniques since the 2000s. Since then, several researchers indicated its high diagnostic accuracy, denoting that its limitations seem to be comparable to those of magnetic resonance imaging and potentially of positron emission computerized tomography. Although strict consensus about its application in current clinical practice is still lacking, established morphological criteria have already been proposed and are associated with excellent sensitivity and specificity. Considering the cost effectiveness of the method compared to traditional imaging it becomes evident that in the future it may represent the standard of care not only for the preoperative assessment of patients at risk, but also during the postoperative period in order to help the early detection of lymph node metastases which may significantly alter the survival outcomes of these patients.