Laparoscopic ultrasonography-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node sampling in patients evaluated for stomach cancer recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
The precise localization of target lymph nodes during laparoscopic biopsy can often be technically challenging. The purpose of this series was to report 2 patients who successfully underwent laparoscopic para-aortic lymph node sampling with the assistance of laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS).


METHODS
We describe 2 patients previously treated for gastric cancer who later had suspicious retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy detected by computed tomography. They received LUS-assisted lymph node biopsies for histologic evaluation.


RESULTS
Laparoscopic ultrasonography precisely localized the target lymph nodes, which measured 1.4 and 1.5 cm, respectively, in both patients. A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach and target lymph node sampling were successfully performed. No procedure-related technical difficulties or immediate complications occurred. The 2 patients were histologically proven to have nodal tumor recurrence and tuberculous lymphadenopathy, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Precise localization of a small lymph node located deep in the abdomen can be readily performed by intraoperative LUS.
Kim
Honsoul
H
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Hospital, Seodaemun-ku, Shinchon-dong 134, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Hyung
Woo Jin
WJ
Lim
Joon Seok
JS
Park
Mi-Suk
MS
Choi
Jin Young
JY
Chung
Yong Eun
YE
Kim
Myeong-Jin
MJ
Kim
Ki Whang
KW
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*