Ultrasound in Primary Care: A Key Tool for the Diagnosis of Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Abstract

This is the case of a 66-year-old man who consulted primary care due to the appearance of a left cervical mass with progressive growth over the past week. The patient has a history of active smoking, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, multinodular goiter, and a left vocal cord squamous cell carcinoma treated in 2015. After the interruption of oncological follow-up due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the ultrasound performed in consultation revealed cervical lymphadenopathy with suggestive characteristics of malignancy.

The results of the laboratory tests, along with the ultrasound, guided the diagnosis towards a possible oncological recurrence. Given the suspicion of malignancy, the patient was urgently referred to Otolaryngology, where, after additional tests, the diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed.

This case highlights the relevance of ultrasound in primary care as a key tool for rapid and precise evaluation, facilitating diagnostic orientation. It also underscores the fundamental role of primary care physicians in ensuring the continuity of patient care.