The aim of this study was to evaluate reactively enlarged cervical lymph nodes and nodal metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, as well as nodes involved by malignant lymphoma, by means of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and to describe perfusion sites for each nodal group in order to determine if typical flow patterns exist for nodes with different pathology. In a prospective study, 63 untreated patients with palpable cervical lymph node enlargement (n = 208) underwent examination with CDUS. The sites of perfusion were subdivided into three groups: central, peripheral and hilar perfusion. The intensity of perfusion was subjectively quantified in a semiquantitative scale from 0 (no perfusion) to III (high perfusion). Finally, the overall perfused area of the lymph nodes was measured and the percentage of perfused nodal area was calculated. CDUS showed perfusion in 178 of 208 lymph nodes. Histological examination showed 49 reactively enlarged lymph nodes, 82 containing metastases and 47 with lymphoma. Reactively enlarged lymph nodes showed characteristically intense hilar perfusion (91.8%), whereas nodal metastases had mainly peripherally located flow (84.1%) of intensity grades I-III. Lymph nodes invaded by malignant lymphoma were highly perfused, showing colour signals in the centre as well as in the nodal periphery (78.7%). In conclusion, perfusional patterns may provide useful additional information in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy.

The rare case of sarcoidosis of the breast is presented. The mammographic, ultrasound, and MR appearances are described.

In the country city of Ansbach, Germany all cases of varicellazoster virus infection seen by dermatologists, pediatricians and general practitioners were registered over a period of 16 months, from February 1992 until May 1993. 152 patients were clinically diagnosed with herpes zoster and 437 patients with chickenpox. The population-based incidence of zoster infections was 22.6 per 10,000 inhabitants per year, while the incidence of chickenpox was 42.4. There was a slight predominance of male patients with zoster. There was also a marked influence of age and sex, on the localization of the involved nerve segments. Zoster was seen in patients of all ages but there was a clear predominance in older patients. The peak of the disease occurred in the eighth decade. In patients with chickenpox, the sex ratio was equal. The disease typically occurs in children and we observed a predominance of the cases in the first decade. Spread over the year, zoster was seen equally during all seasons. Chickenpox, however, showed epidemiological peaks of frequency. It is possible that the epidemic spread of the disease and the end of the peak are influenced by special metereological conditions.