[Abstrast] Objectives To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL). Methods 226 patients with cervical lymphadenectasis and pathological or laboratory confirmation who underwent CEUS examination were retrospectively enrolled. The enhancement patterns of the lymph nodes in CEUS were analyzed. Results 104 cases were confirmed as CTL

while 122 cases were non-tuberculous. More CTL cases showed internal heterogeneous enhancement of the lymph nodes than the non-tuberculous cases [81.73% (85/104) vs 20.49% (25/122)

P<0.01]. The sensitivity was 81.73%

and the specificity was 79.51%. In addition

more of the CTL cases showed peripheral rim-like enhancement than the non-tuberculous cases [85.58% (89/104) vs 12.30% (15/122)

P<0.01]. The sensitivity was 85.58%

and the specificity was 87.70%. 76 CTL cases (73.08%) showed both features

while only 8 non-tuberculous cases (6.56%) did so (P<0.01). The sensitivity was 73.08%

the specificity was up to 93.44%. Conclusions CEUS well assessed the necrosis and hyperplasia within lymph node lesions. Internal heterogeneous enhancement and peripheral rim-like enhancement of lymph nodes are the characteristics of CTL in CEUS.