Table 1 Ultrasound grading system for inguinal lymph nodes^a

^aThe grading is based on size, shape, short-long axis ratio, eccentric cortical hypertrophy, absence of an echogenic hilum, hypo-echogenicity of the lymph node, lymph node necrosis and abnormal vascularity using power Doppler

1 = normal

2 = abnormal but benign

3 = abnormal and indeterminate, but with a low risk of malignancy – further assessment required

4 = suspicious with a moderate risk of malignancy – further assessment required

5 = suspicious with a high risk of malignancy – further assessment required (clinical and imaging, path is definitive)