[Cervical lymph nodes].

Imaging plays a chief role in the care and monitoring of patients in cervico-facial oncology. The radiologist must know the anatomy of different lymph nodes as well as signs of malignancy (hypertrophy, enhancement, necrosis, capsular rupture, etc.). CT is still the first-line examination because of its high reliability, its accessibility and its ability to make an assessment of the upper aero digestive ways at the same time. Ultrasound is very accuracy, and allows the realization of cytoponction, but does not provide a complete exploration of the neck. MRI does not appear to be indicated for the first intention, but the new rapid sequences (STIR, diffusion) seem interesting. The PET-CT is useful in post-therapeutic management of patients, and probably in the initial staging, but its accessibility is poor.