Neck ultrasonography is a superficial ultrasonographic examination used in cases such as a mass, pain, redness in our neck or in the follow-up of some diseases. There are vital organs in our neck, such as the thyroid gland, salivary glands, main vessels, lymph nodes, food and trachea.
Lymph nodes are present in our body from birth and are the first protective layers of our body against microbes. They grow larger when they encounter infectious agents, and shrink when the infection is treated or neutralized by the body. In addition, lymph nodes are affected and enlarged in some hematological blood diseases (lymphoma, leukemia, etc.) and some cancers. Ultrasound provides very important information in understanding whether an enlarged lymph node is due to infection or cancer. Accordingly, the patient's follow-up, medical treatment and biopsy decisions are made.
The salivary glands consist of two major salivary glands (parotid and sublingual) and many minor salivary glands located symmetrically on both sides of our neck. Infections of these salivary glands, benign or malignant mass lesions developing within the gland, stones developing within the gland ducts and duct enlargements can be detected by ultrasonography. Therefore, ultrasonography is the first choice in these diseases.
Ultrasonography is the first choice in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases (this subject is explained under the title of thyroid ultrasonography).
Other vital organs in our neck are the main veins (jugular veins) that go to our brain. Ultrasonography checks whether these vessels are open and whether there are signs of atherosclerosis and plaques in them. In order to perform a complete vascular examination, Doppler Ultrasonography must also be included in the examination.
Also, especially in newborn babies, the head should be kept on one side and turned to the other side. Torticollis disease, which causes impotence, is also a disease that is diagnosed and monitored by ultrasonography. This disease is usually caused by bleeding in the main muscle group that moves our neck left and right due to the tensions that occur during birth. Diagnosis is made by measuring this bleeding area or the thickness difference in the muscle with ultrasonography.
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