Minniea,
I believe that lymph nodes in the neck are diagnosed initially by CT scan. In my case after radiation treatments were finished the doctor was still concerned about one neck node after looking at another CT scan. I was then sent to the radiologist who performed a needle biopsy on the neck ( a very simple procedure ) and looked at an ultrasound. In my case this was enough to decide that I did not require a neck dissection.

Danny G.