Cervicofacial Lymphadenopathy

Cervical lymphadenopathy (CLA) refers to cervical nodal tissue measuring more than 1 cm in diameter. Discrete swellings in the neck are often due to lymph node enlargement (cervical lymphadenopathy) but may occasionally be caused by disorders in the salivary glands, thyroid gland and the other structures. More diffuse swelling of the neck may be caused by obesity, edema (inflammatory or allergic), hematoma, malignant infiltration, surgical emphysema. Enlarged cervical lymph nodes are commonly encountered, both clinically and on imaging. Clinicians and radiologists often struggle with the nonspecific features of such nodes, which are most commonly reactive secondary to infection but can also be related to more aggressive processes, including malignancy. Clinical evaluation is paramount in the appropriate assessment of enlarged lymph nodes. Location, symptomatology and consistency need to be addressed. Imaging plays an important role, particularly when benign lymph nodes lack features or fail to resolve with treatment.