Sonographic classification of vascular resectability6
| Ultrasonographic Staging System | |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Independent carotid artery pulsations and an obvious plane of cleavage visible. |
| Stage II | Residual independent mobility of the carotid artery and lymph node during various maneuvers but an obvious cleavage plane not visible. |
| Stage III | Loss of independent mobility of the carotid artery with luminal compression. Vascular boundaries no longer visible and circular encroachment of the vessel is presumed. |
| Stage IV | Gross invasion of the carotid artery with and without intraluminal tumor present associated with impaired flow velocity in color Doppler US. |