An ultrasound of the lymph nodes — is an informative examination that helps clarify the cause of their enlargement, soreness, or thickening. The examination is part of comprehensive diagnostics and allows the doctor to assess whether the changes are related to an inflammatory process, an immune system reaction, or other conditions.
With the help of ultrasound, it is possible to detect or suspect:
- inflammation of the lymph node (lymphadenitis), which often occurs against the background of infections — for example, with diseases of the throat, teeth, skin, or ENT organs;
- reactive changes, when lymph nodes enlarge in response to infection or inflammation in the body;
- consequences of previous infections or long-term inflammatory processes;
- neoplasms in the area of the lymph node or next to it, which require additional assessment;
- signs of systemic diseases that may be accompanied by enlargement of the lymphatic nodes.
Ultrasound is also used to monitor the condition of the lymph nodes over time — for example, to assess whether they decrease after treatment or whether their structure changes over time.
During the examination, the doctor assesses the main parameters of the lymph nodes, which help determine whether they correspond to the norm:
| Parameter | What is assessed | Approximate norm |
| Size | Length and width of the node | Depends on the area, usually up to 5–10 mm |
| Shape | Ratio of length to width | Oval |
| Contours | Clarity and evenness of the borders | Clear, even |
| Structure | Homogeneity of tissue | Homogeneous |
| Lymph node hilum | Central part | Visualized |
| Blood flow | According to Doppler imaging | Moderate, predominantly central |
It is important to understand that ultrasound does not establish the final diagnosis, but helps determine further tactics of examination or treatment.
Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note: according to the results of the examination, the specialist forms a conclusion with a description of the detected changes, however the final diagnosis is not established on the basis of ultrasound. Interpretation of the results is carried out by the doctor who prescribed the examination, taking into account symptoms, examination data, and analyses. Even minor deviations from the norm do not always indicate the presence of a disease.