Аннотация
Aim. To study the structural and pathological changes in lymph nodes in children, taking into account their anatomical and physiological characteristics, and to assess the effectiveness of instrumental diagnostic methods used to detect these pathological changes. Materials and methods. The study used data from modern medical literature, clinical observations, and instrumental diagnostic methods. The anatomical features of lymph nodes in children and their pathological changes were discussed. A comparative analysis of different instrumental methods for diagnosing inflammatory and oncological diseases was conducted. Results and discussion. It was found that the size and structure of lymph nodes in children vary depending on their location and age. Ultrasound (US) is the safest and most accessible method, allowing the assessment of the size, shape, and echogenicity of nodes. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was found to be effective in differentiating between inflammatory and metastatic changes. Positron emission tomography combined with magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and computed tomography (PET/CT) demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting malignant structures. The study also confirmed the important role of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying structural changes in lymph nodes. Conclusion. For the early detection and diagnosis of lymph node pathology in children, the use of US, CT, MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI is recommended. US is the primary method for initial diagnosis, CT and MRI are essential for determining structural changes, while PET/CT and PET/MRI are used to detect malignant processes.