Objective: The purpose of this review is to present a systematic description of cervical lymph drainage by nodal level.
Material and methods: We present, in French, the radiological and surgical classification of the cervical lymph nodes with numerous illustrations. A critical analysis of the advantages and limitations of this tool is presented together with practical guidelines.
Results: This classification system is a useful tool for the evaluation of cervical metastases. It provides for more precise treatment and better understanding and communication between specialists, offering the standardization necessary for comparing results obtained by different teams and for multicenter studies.
Conclusion: This classification of cervical lymph nodes by level is a useful tool for the management of cervical node involvement in head and neck cancer.