Elastography: The New Diagnostic Frontier for Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Sonoelastography is an emerging ultrasound-based imaging technique that assesses tissue stiffness by measuring strain in response to mechanical compression. This method is based on the principle that malignant tissues, such as metastatic lymph nodes, are generally firmer and less compressible than benign or reactive nodes. In patients with oral cancer, distinguishing between metastatic and reactive cervical lymphadenopathy is crucial for accurate staging and treatment planning. Elastography enhances conventional ultrasonography by providing additional biomechanical information, thereby increasing diagnostic specificity. When applied appropriately, it serves as a valuable, noninvasive adjunct for the assessment of cervical lymph node involvement in oral cancer.