Lymphadenopathy: defining a palpable lymph node.
Head Neck
; 37(2): 177-81, 2015 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24347005
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The threshold size required to detect lymphadenopathy via palpation has never been formally determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold, sensitivity, and error of node palpation and how this changes with experience.METHODS:
Lymphadenopathy models were created using polyvinyl alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) to mimic tissue tactility. Node diameter ranged from 0.5 to 4 cm. Study subjects were medical students, otolaryngology residents, and otolaryngology consultants. Each subject provided 22 estimates of size. Primary outcomes were the sensitivity, error (true vs estimated size), and threshold of palpation.RESULTS:
Thirty subjects completed the study. Sensitivity was 60%, 74%, and 86% for students, residents, and consultants, respectively (p < .01). Error was 0.88 cm, 0.61 cm, and 0.57 cm, respectively (p < .05). Palpation threshold was 1.32 cm, 0.83 cm, and 0.75 cm, respectively (p < .05). All participants detected nodes ≥2 cm, whereas consultants detected nodes ≥1 cm.CONCLUSION:
Experience is associated with decreased palpation threshold and error, and increased sensitivity. Educational interventions should target nodes <2 cm.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Palpação
/
Linfonodos
/
Doenças Linfáticas
/
Modelos Anatômicos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Head Neck
Assunto da revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Canadá