Techniques for Cervical Lymph Node Curage: Our Approach

Metastatic lymph node involvement occurs in a sequential and predictable manner, and its clinical detection by palpation is limited. Computed tomography (CT), followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET-scan), are considered to be the best tests for detecting these lymph nodes, especially in the case of sub-centimetric lymph nodes. The initial lymph node status of patients with cancer in maxillofacial surgery is a factor influencing prognosis. The management of actual or potential cervical metastases must be adapted to the location of the initial tumour and the stage of loco regional progression. The International Union against Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) have adopted a common cervical lymph node (N) classification.