Hostname: page-component-6766d58669-76mfw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-19T06:51:45.101Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ultrasound-guided wire localisation of head and neck lymph nodes: a literature search and case series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2025

Bradley John Storey Open the ORCID record for Bradley John Storey [Opens in a new window] ,
Rachel Ho ,
Tassadaque Malik ,
Richard Chaytor ,
Richard Williams ,
Andrew Hope  and
Peter Cantin
Bradley John Storey*
Affiliation:
Imaging Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Rachel Ho
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Tassadaque Malik
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Richard Chaytor
Affiliation:
Imaging Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Richard Williams
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Andrew Hope
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
Peter Cantin
Affiliation:
Imaging Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
*
Corresponding author: Bradley Storey; Email: bradleystorey@doctors.org.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives

Ultrasound-guided wire localisation may improve intra-operative identification and outcomes of non-palpable cervical lymphadenopathy in a previously treated neck. We undertook a literature search and present our case series to determine the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided wire localisation.

Methods

A search of databases up to 29 April 2024 was performed. At our tertiary centre, ultrasound-guided wire localisation was utilised for 20 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy between February 2021 and April 2024.

Results

Seventeen studies with a combined total of 92 patients were identified, with one complication reported. Within our case series, all 20 patients had accurate lesion localisation using ultrasound-guided wire localisation and none required repeat operations.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided wire localisation is a safe and cost-effective technique for lesions in an otherwise difficult area to operate, providing confidence to the multidisciplinary team, particularly where histopathology indicates benignity. Surgical outcomes do not appear worse than outcomes without ultrasound-guided wire localisation. We advocate its use provided appropriate patient selection is considered.

Keywords

diagnostic imaginghead and neck neoplasmsneck

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 139 , Issue 6 , June 2025 , pp. 512 - 520
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Bradley Storey takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

Carrillo, JF, Carrillo, LC, Ramírez-Ortega, MC, Pacheco-Bravo, I, Ramos-Mayo, A, Oñate-Ocaña, LF. Wire-guided localization and surgical resection of non-palpable recurrent of thyroid carcinoma: a STROBE-compliant, retrospective cohort study. Eur J Surg Oncol 2024; 50: 107306CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Farrell, E, Speaker, RB, O’Driscoll, D, Skinner, L. A case report of wire-localised excision of impalpable recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma and discussion of wire-guided excision in the head and neck pathology. Curr Med Imaging 2023; 20: e080823219540CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bran, W, Sahli-Vivicorsi, S, Cadieu, R, Alavi, Z, Leclere, JC. Ultrasound-guided hookwire localization of non palpable cervical lymphadenopathy: a case-control study of operative time. Cancer Med 2023; 12: 16054–65CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Samara, E, Williams, M, Howlett, DC. Current applications of ultrasound-guided wire localization in head and neck surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2019; 48: 443–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zaveri, S, Rastatter, JC, Carter, JM, Kim, S, Maddalozzo, J. Pre-operative ultrasound guided wire localization for recurrent or persistent thyroid disease: a series of four cases. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 113: 67–71CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eng, OS, Grant, SB, Weissler, J, Simon, M, Roychowdhury, S, Davidov, T, et al. Operative bed recurrence of thyroid cancer: utility of a preoperative needle localization technique. Gland Surg 2016; 5: 571–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Park, JY, Park, NH, Yi, SY, Ko, MS, Park, HJ. Preoperative US-guided hookwire localization for nonpalpable cervical masses. J Clin Ultrasound 2012; 40: 195–9Google ScholarPubMed
Thomas, RH, Burke, C, Howlett, D. A technical note: pre-operative ultrasound-guided wire localization in head and neck surgery. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 268: 743–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woodhouse, NR, Williams, MD, Saha, S, Howlett, DC. Ultrasound guided wire localisation to aid surgical biopsy of impalpable parotid oncocytoma. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011; 40: 427–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Duprez, R, Lebas, P, Marc, OS, Mongeois, E, Emy, P, Michenet, P. Preoperative US-guided hook-needle insertion in recurrent lymph nodes of papillary thyroid cancer: a help for the surgeon. Eur J Radiol 2010; 73: 40–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rozen, WM, Cham, A, Jones, T. Managing suspicious cervical lymph nodes after thyroidectomy: the utility of hook-wire needle localization. ANZ J Surg 2010; 80: 299CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fletcher, AM, Preston, TW, Kuehn, DM, Clark, ED, Van Daele, D, Hoffman, H. Ultrasound-guided needle localization of recurrent paratracheal thyroid cancer. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2009; 118: 475–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Breeze, J, Williams, MD, Howlett, DC. Ultrasound guided localisation during the excision of an impalpable branchial cyst. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008; 46: 686–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Purayidathil, MJ, Manjaly, G, Howlett, DC. Removal of an impalpable thyroglossal cyst using ultrasound-guided wire localisation – a technical note. Clin Otolaryngol 2007; 32: 141–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Triponez, F, Poder, L, Zarnegar, R, Goldstein, R, Roayaie, K, Feldstein, V, et al. Hook needle-guided excision of recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer in previously operated neck compartments: a safe technique for small, nonpalpable recurrent disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006; 91: 4943–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bryant, JA, Siddiqi, NJ, Loveday, EJ, Irvine, GH. Presurgical, ultrasound-guided anchor-wire marking of impalpable cervical lymph nodes. J Laryngol Otol 2005; 119: 627–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zimmerman, P, DaSilva, M, Izquierdo, R, Cico, L, Kort, K, Numann, P. Intraoperative needle localization during neck reexploration. Am J Surg 2004; 188: 92–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bick, U, Trimboli, RM, Athanasiou, A, Balleyguier, C, Baltzer, PAT, Bernathova, M, et al. Image-guided breast biopsy and localisation: recommendations for information to women and referring physicians by the European Society of Breast Imaging. Insights Imaging 2020; 11: 12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlino, G, Rinaldi, P, Giuliani, M, Rella, R, Bufi, E, Padovano, F, et al. Ultrasound-guided preoperative localization of breast lesions: a good choice. J Ultrasound 2018; 22: 85–94CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Athanasiou, C, Mallidis, E, Tuffaha, H. Comparative effectiveness of different localization techniques for non-palpable breast cancer. A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Eur J Surg Oncol 2022; 48: 53–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Aydogan, F, Ozben, V, Celik, V, Uras, C, Tahan, G, Gazioglu, E, et al. Radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) for non-palpable breast cancer: a comparison between day-before and same-day protocols. Breast 2010; 19: 226–30CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schaarup-Jensen, H, Jensen, AI, Hansen, AE, El Ali, HHHammershøj, P, Jølck, RI, et al. Injectable iodine-125 labeled tissue marker for radioactive localization of non-palpable breast lesions. Acta Biomater 2018; 65: 197–202CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoang, JK, De Jesus, R, Eastwood, JD, Gafton, AR, Witsell, DL. CT-guided hookwire placement: a technical innovation for preoperative localization of nonpalpable cervical lymph nodes. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2012; 33: E104–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thompson, SM, Gorny, KR, Jondal, DE, Rech, KL, Mardini, S, Woodrum, DA. MRI-guided wire localization surgical biopsy in an adolescent patient with a difficult to diagnose case of lymphoma. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2017; 40: 135–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tahim, A, Aludden, H, Jawad, S, Sadiq, Z. A transoral excision of a deep parotid lobe lesion using ultrasound-guided wire localization: a multi-disciplinary team approach. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2018; 18: 245–8Google ScholarPubMed