Preoperative US‐guided hookwire localization for nonpalpable cervical masses

AbstractPurpose.We investigated whether the preoperative ultrasound (US)‐guided hookwire localization for nonpalpable cervical masses allows surgeons to find these masses more easily and more confidently.Methods.Eight patients underwent preoperative US‐guided hookwire insertion for nonpalpable cervical masses at our institution between January 2008 and January 2011. Cervical masses were detected by US or CT, and seven of the eight patients underwent US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration. Before surgery, a radiologist inserted a hookwire into the cervical mass, under US guidance.Results.US‐guided hookwire insertion took about 5–10 minutes and was successful in all cases without complications. Final pathologic results were metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (n = 4), no metastasis (n = 1), parathyroid adenoma (n = 1), tuberculosis (n = 1), and Kikuchi's disease (n = 1).Conclusions.Preoperative US‐guided hookwire insertion in nonpalpable cervical lesions provides surgeons with an effective means of lesion location. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011