Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis: MR features

To characterize the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. The cervical MR images of 14 patients with pathologically or clinically proven cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were retrospectively analyzed. T1-and T2-weighted or proton density images and contrast enhanced MR images were obtained in all patients. Most patient had multiple (n = 12), unilateral lesions (n = 10), 8 mm to 45 mm is size, round (n = 46) or ovoid (n = 46) in shape and all with smooth and well-defined margins mostly at internal jugular chain (N2: 41, N3: 2, N4: 21). The signal intensities of the most lymph nodes were isointense or slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images, and hyperintense (all) with variable homogeneity on T2-weighted and/or proton density images. After contrast enhancement most showed characteristic thin peripheral rim enhancement (n =71). The characteristic MR features of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis would be multiple, unilateral enlarged lymph nodes which showed iso or slightly increased signal intensity on T1-weighted image, high signal intensity on T2-weighted and/or proton density image and peripheral rim enhancement