Neck masses, especially in the setting of previous treatment for head and neck cancer, can be very complex to interpret. The ACR NI-RADS Committee has developed recommendations for a standardized lexicon and risk stratification system to be used in the interpretation of surveillance imaging in patients who have been treated for head and neck cancer.
NI-RADS helps the radiologist and clinical team with risk stratification of various imaging findings and help guide management decisions.
NI-RADS can be used for the following cancers when patients undergo CT/MR/PET for surveillance:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the head/neck and aerodigestive tract (oral cavity, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx)
- Non-squamous cell cancers of the head and neck
- Salivary gland tumors
- Sinonasal tumors
- Orbital tumors
- Thyroid cancer
CT and MRI have separate lexicon/risk assessment systems, each dedicated to the modality specific findings.
