Follow-up ultrasound of head and neck cancer

In Germany high-resolution sonography using the color duplex mode in addition to computed tomography (CT) is a well-established and proven method in the context of restaging after primary therapy of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). There are no international evidence-based restaging guidelines. Decisions concerning neck dissection (ND) after primary radiochemotherapy (RCT) are often individually derived in the respective tumor conferences and are therefore subject to variance. Compared to the UK or USA, in Germany there is a high level of expertise in the use of ultrasound in combination with CT for the routine restaging of HNSCC after RCT. Using high-resolution sonography (B-mode and color duplex) morphological changes in neck lymph nodes can be clearly detected. Another important aspect in the field of sonographic follow-up is the accurate and standardized documentation of findings and control of dynamic changes during follow-up. In summary, clinical presentation and sonography enable therapeutic decisions and treatment from one source.