[Cervical lymph node metastases. The sonographic demonstration of malignancy].

The value of sonography for demonstrating cervical lymph node metastases has been studied, using longitudinal and transverse measurements as criteria for malignancy. A transverse/longitudinal quotient greater than 2 indicates the presence of metastases with a 96% assurance. Using only longitudinal measurements lymph node metastases can be excluded with only a 36% assurance. The sensitivity of both methods also differs (95% for the maximal transverse quotient as against 90% for longitudinal measurements). The use of the maximal transverse quotient increases specificity from 36 to 96%. This gives sonography an accuracy of 95%.