title: Laparoscopic ultrasonography-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node sampling in patients evaluated for stomach cancer recurrence.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Hospital, Seodaemun-ku, Shinchon-dong 134, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
authors.forename: Honsoul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Woo Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hyung
authors.forename: Joon Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Mi-Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yong Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Myeong-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki Whang
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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*