Role of Gray Scale and Color Doppler Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Pediatric Neck Masses

Our aim is to assess the role of the gray scale and color Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of the different pediatric neck masses .

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Pediatric Tumor

Detailed Description

Neck masses are a common occurrence in the pediatric population and often represent a diagnostic challenge for the clinician involved . fortunately , the vast majority of these lesions are ultimately proven to be benign in nature (1).

Even though clinical examination and patient's history are the first and indispensable steps in the initial diagnosis, the role of imaging is crucial, not only to determine whether a mass represents a true tumour or not , but also to achieve a more correct diagnosis and determine the extension of the lesion and its relation with the nearby anatomic structures (2).

Ultrasound (US) should serve as the primary initial imaging modality in children for palpable masses and assessment of superficial glandular structures. Because of the smaller neck size and less subcutaneous fat, sonographic penetration and resolution is generally improved as compared with adults (3 ).

Doppler imaging can also elucidate how flow is distributed within a mass may have diagnostic significance and help us in determining the nature of the lesion as well as it is of great importance in assessment of vascular lesions (4)

Though ultrasound is most common method used for evaluation of pediatric neck masses , and CT as well as MRI are used as an additional tool when necessary ( 3 ) , few studies have looked at the sensitivity and specificity of the different imaging modalities of the pediatric neck masses and most studies have investigated the epidemiology of the pediatric neck masses (5) which make histopathological diagnosis still the gold standard in distinguishing the etiology of pediatric neck masses and ruling out malignant disease (6)

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 96

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Monica Sobhy; Phone Number: +2001278489110; Email: monica.sobhy94@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: No older than 18 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

pediatric patients with neck masses attending at outpatient clinics at assiut university pediatric hospital.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical cases who are suspected for and provisionally diagnosed for "neck swelling" in children (below age of 18 years).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with conditions that may hinder ultrasound examination like subcutaneous emphysema and thick skin scarring.
2. Patients who are unwilling/uncooperative or have not given consent for participation.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Using gray scale ultrasound to determine the consistency of neck masses in children.	determination if the lesion is solid (hyperechoic, hypoechoic or isoechoic in comparison to adjacent neck muscles) or cystic (anechoic) or mixed in consistency.	baseline
determination of the extension of neck masses in children.	through assessment of height, length and width in centimeters.	baseline
determination of the definition of neck masses in children,	whether it is well defined (rounded, oval or lobulated) , ill-defined(speculated or irregular).	baseline
using color doppler ultrasound in assessment neck masses in children.	increased or decreased vascularity depending on number of vessels and the nature of color wave (arterial or venous),	baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Assiut University
• Investigators: Study Chair: Samy AbdElAziz, PhD, Assiut University; Study Director: Hazem Abo Zeid, PhD, Assiut University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Riva G, Sensini M, Peradotto F, Scolfaro C, Di Rosa G, Tavormina P. Pediatric neck masses: how clinical and radiological features can drive diagnosis. Eur J Pediatr. 2019 Apr;178(4):463-471. doi: 10.1007/s00431-018-3305-9. Epub 2019 Jan 14.
• Toma P, Esposito F, Granata C, Paolantonio G, Terranova MC, Lo Re G, Ferrara D, Rollo M, Zeccolini M, Salerno S. Up-to-date imaging review of paediatric soft tissue vascular masses, focusing on sonography. Radiol Med. 2019 Oct;124(10):935-945. doi: 10.1007/s11547-019-01050-8. Epub 2019 Jun 11.
• Friedman ER, John SD. Imaging of pediatric neck masses. Radiol Clin North Am. 2011 Jul;49(4):617-32, v. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2011.05.005.
• Stern JS, Ginat DT, Nicholas JL, Ryan ME. Imaging of pediatric head and neck masses. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2015 Feb;48(1):225-46. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2014.09.015.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): April 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Anticipated): May 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 20, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): April 22, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 22, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 20, 2021
• Last Verified: April 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: Us in pediatric neck masses

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No