Classification of neck node levels CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

1. RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY OF LYMPH NODE

2. Classification of neck node levels
• Robbins Classification:
• In 1991 the AAO-HNS classified neck lymph nodes into levels, based on surgical neck dissection
• This classification distinguishes six levels:
 IA, submental lymph nodes
 IB, submandibular lymph nodes
 II, upper jugular lymph nodes
 III, middle jugular lymph nodes
 IV, lower jugular lymph nodes
 V, posterior triangle lymph nodes
 VI, anterior compartment lymph nodes

3. Limitations of using Robbins classification for
lymph node delineation in RT
• considers only those lymph nodes that are removed during neck dissections.
• lymph nodes not commonly removed, such as retropharyngeal, parotid, buccal, and occipital nodes,
are not included.
• L.n boundaries based on surgical procedures are not always easily identifiable on CT scans
• Moreover, in radiotherapy the neck is immobilized without rotation of the head, while in surgery the
position of the neck can be rotated which changes some of the boundaries

4. L.N classification based on Anatomico-radiological Boundaries
• With the introduction of CT and MRI need was felt to transfer the anatomical
boundaries of lymph node stations as described by surgeons onto CT scans
• several atlases of cross-sectional radiological anatomy of lymph nodes developed
 Som (1998)
 Nowak and Levendag (Rotterdam) (1999)
 Gregoire (Brussels) (2000)
 RTOG

5. Changes From Surgical Classification Of Nodes

6. DRAWBACK IN THE ANATOMICO-RADIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
• All guidelines presented some differences in terms of
boundaries and sizes;
• consequently, the need was felt to unify terminology and
recommendations for contouring.
• The main differences between concerned the definition of
the cranial edge of levels II and V, the posterior edge of
levels II, III, IV, and V, and the caudal edge of level VI.

7. CONSENSUS GUIDELINES
• At the end of 2003, the group published its “consensus guidelines” which have been
endorsed by the major European and American scientific societies
(RTOG, EORTC, GOERTEC, NCIC, and DAHANCA)
• In 2003, a consensus guidelines for node negative patients
• In 2006, these guidelines extended to include node positive and post-
operative neck
• Although it appears that these recommendations are well accepted they
are also associated with some shortcomings

8. Shortcomings of previous consensus guideline
• not all the neck node areas described in the TNM atlas were included especially
lower and posterior neck , face, the scalp & base of skull
• description of the anatomic boundaries of some of these was not sufficiently
accurate
• guidelines for the node-positive neck,& ECE was arbitrary and imprecise in terms
of extension into normal structures to generate CTV
• Illustrations of the nodal levels were not available in DICOM consequently limiting
the easy use of the atlas
• Hence a task force was formed to review and update the previously published
guidelines on nodal level delineation

15. Radiological Anatomy

17. Enlarged sub mental lymph
node
Bounded by 2 ant. Belly of digastric

21. Bounded by ant. & post Belly of digastric
Ant belly digastric
Post belly digastric
Mandible

30. Cranial border: caudal C1
Caudal border: caudal edge of hyoid

38. Cranial border: caudal edge of hyoid
Caudal border: caudal edge of cricoid

43. Caudal border: 2cm cranial to cranial
edge of sternoclavicular joint
Cranial border: caudal edge of cricoid

48. Cranial border: cranial edge of hyoid

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