Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography for Midline Neck Masses in Children

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and to assess the utility of preoperative ultrasonography in the pediatric patient with a midline neck mass. Study Design. Diagnostic test study. Setting. Tertiary care university hospital. Subjects and Methods. An institutional review board (UCLA Office of the Human Research Protection Program)–approved retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing excision of a midline neck mass between 1999 and 2010 at a tertiary care institution was performed. The preoperative imaging modality, imaging diagnosis, and pathologic results were evaluated. Results. Forty patients were included in this review. This study failed to demonstrate an association between preoperative ultrasound-based diagnoses and postoperative pathologic results ( P > .99). Conclusion. Ultrasonography is commonly used in the workup of a midline neck mass in the pediatric population. Despite the utility of preoperative ultrasonography, the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging modality may have significant limitations.