腔内超声与螺旋CT对直肠癌术前分期的对比研究

目的比较腔内超声（EUS）和螺旋CT（SCT）对直肠癌术前分期的诊断价值。方法对68例直肠癌患者术前行EUS和SCT检查，将检查结果与手术及病理结果对比；同时比较EUS和SCT对诊断直肠肿瘤浸润深度、区域淋巴结转移的准确性。结果判断T分期，EUS准确率为86．8％（59／68），SCT准确率为70．6％（48／68），两者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。评价N分期，EUS的准确率为67．6％（46／68），SCT的准确率为63．2％（43／68），两者比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论EUS对判断直肠肿瘤浸润深度优于SCT，但两者对淋巴结转移的判断均存在一定的局限性。     

食管癌与贲门癌患者术前内镜超声检查28例分析

目的 通过对比内镜超声及CT在食管癌、贲门癌术前进行T、N分期中的准确度,评价内镜超声的临床应用价值. 方法 对28例食管癌、贲门患者术前均行内镜超声扫描和CT扫描,并分别进行T、N分期,以术后病理为金标准,比较两者分期的准确性有无差异,同时对比两者对淋巴结转移的准确率(即真实性)的差异,判断内镜超声的应用价值. 结果 本组28例病例中,T分期准确率内镜超声为89.3%(25/28),高于CT的46.4%(13/28),差异有统计学意义(P=0.004,P＜0.01).N分期中,内镜超声与CT的准确率分别为82.1%(23/28)及50.0%(14/28),差异有统计学意义(P=0.035,P＜0.05).对转移淋巴结的分组统计中,内镜超声与CT的准确率分别为88.7%及72.2%,有显著性差异(χ2=7.031,P=0.008,P＜0.01).结论 内镜超声在食管癌、贲门癌术前分期中有重要作用,其T分期准确率明显高于传统CT扫描.以淋巴结短径、S/L(淋巴结短径/淋巴结长径)并结合淋巴结的超声显像特征进行分析,提高了判断淋巴结转移以及N分期的准确性.     

Study of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer using transesophageal ultrasonography]

Evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer is fundamental for their treatment and prognosis. Chest computed tomography (CT) is presently the most utilized diagnostic modality. In recent years endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is being employed for this purpose. We retrospectively compared the results of CT and EUS staging of 35 selected patients with postsurgical stage. A total of 175 lymph node sites were examined. Results CT vs EUS were as follows: specificity 92% vs 98%, sensitivity 88% vs 84%, positive predicted accuracy 80% vs 96%, negative predicted accuracy 95% vs 94%, overall accuracy 92% vs 95%. The region most accessible by EUS evaluation were the paraesophageal lymph nodes; the most difficult were the right superior mediastinal nodes which cannot be imaged for anatomic reasons. EUS not only allows one to arrive at correct diagnosis with less false positive results, but also permits evaluation of lymph nodes which are not enlarged. We think that EUS, in combination with CT, is an appropriate modality for staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer.     

Comparative study of three-dimensional and conventional endorectal ultrasonography used in rectal cancer staging

Background

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging offers improved knowledge of various anatomic structures and tumors by providing 3D images. This prospective study was performed to verify whether 3D endorectal ultrasonography (EUS) enhances the accuracy of rectal cancer staging, as compared with conventional EUS.

Methods

Using both 3D and conventional EUS, 33 consecutive patients with operable rectal cancer were preoperatively staged. A rigid 3D probe with a scanner was used for 3D EUS, and a rigid endorectal probe with a scanner was used for conventional EUS.

Results

The accuracy of 3D EUS was 90.9% for pT2 and 84.8% for pT3, whereas that of conventional EUS was 84.8% and 75.8%, respectively, thereby showing no difference between these two methods. The lymph node metastasis was accurately predicted by 3D EUS in 28 patients (84.8%), whereas conventional EUS predicted the disorder in 22 patients (66.7%). The difference was not statistically significant. The average infiltration grade of the circumference on transverse 3D EUS scans was associated closely with advancement of the TNM stage (p<0.001–0.006) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.003). The presence of a cone-shaped surface on the deep tumor border correlated with the infiltration grade shown on all of the sectional displays (p<0.001–0.042) and with advancement of the TNM stage (p=0.018).

Conclusions

Although the findings did not show 3D EUS to have a significant advantage over conventional EUS for the accurate evaluation of rectal cancer, a numeric advantage may possibly be statistically significant in a further study with larger cases. Furthermore, stereoscopic visualization provided easier and complete understanding of both focal lesions and lymph nodes.

     

Prospective Analysis of Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography,Computed Tomography,and Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Staging of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and the Esophagogastric Junction

Background: Exact preoperative staging of esophageal cancer is essential for accurate prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment modalities.Methods: Forty-two patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or the esophagogastric junction suitable for radical esophageal resection were staged with positron emission tomography (PET), spiral computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).Results: Diagnostic sensitivity for the primary tumor was 83% for PET and 67% for CT; for local peritumoral lymph node metastasis, it was 37% for PET and 89% for EUS; and for distant metastasis, it was 47% for PET and 33% for CT. Diagnostic specificity for local lymph node metastasis was 100% with PET and 54% with EUS, and for distant metastasis, it was 89% for PET and 96% for CT. Accuracy for locoregional lymph node metastasis was 63% for PET, 66% for CT, and 75% for EUS, and for distant metastasis, it was 74% with PET and 74% with CT. Of the 10 patients who were considered inoperable during surgery, PET identified 7 and CT 4. The false-negative diagnoses of stage IV disease in PET were peritoneal carcinomatosis in two patients, abdominal para-aortic cancer growth in one, metastatic lymph nodes by the celiac artery in four, and metastases in the pancreas in one. PET showed false-positive lymph nodes at the jugulum in three patients.Conclusions: The diagnostic value of PET in the staging of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and the esophagogastric junction is limited because of low accuracy in staging of paratumoral and distant lymph nodes. PET does, however, seem to detect organ metastases better than CT.     

超声内镜联合CT在胃癌术前分期中的应用

目的 探讨胃癌病人运用超声内镜(EUS)联合CT进行术前分期对判定胃癌可切除性及制定优化综合治疗方案的指导意义.方法 对2010年1月至2011年3月行手术治疗的56例胃癌病人术前行EUS和螺旋CT检查分期和术后病理检查报告分期的资料进行比较分析.结果 EUS检查对T1、T2、T4期的判定具有优势,CT检查对T3的判定...     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a standard procedure in the preoperative staging of patients with gastric carcinomas. Herein we present our experience with EUS and discuss the results and their implications for surgical therapy. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma were referred to EUS and classified prospectively by the TNM system. The results of the preoperative endosonographic staging were compared with the definitive histopathological results after the operation. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of EUS for determination of the T stage was 78%. The accuracy for the T1 and T2 stages was 80% and 63%, respectively. With 20% and 30%, there was a relatively high rate of overstaging in these cases. The accuracy for T3 and T4 tumors was 95% and 83%, respectively. The accuracy of EUS for determination of the N stage was 77%, with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 84%. Resectability was predicted correctly with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 83%. CONCLUSIONS: Generally accepted standards for the therapy of advanced gastric carcinomas do not exist. In cases where the therapeutic strategy is surgical exploration, no preoperative staging is necessary. In cases with differentiated treatment strategies, the accuracy of EUS is not sufficient for the selection of patients for endoscopic resection. Its accuracy for submucosal cancer invasion and for the detection of lymph node metastases needs to be further enhanced. If only multimodal therapy is considered, EUS staging seems to be absolutely mandatory. Patients classified preoperatively as T1 to T3 can be operated on primarily with sufficient security. In patients where radical resection of the tumor seems doubtful, we recommend that a diagnostic laparoscopy be performed to confirm the diagnosis.     

Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer: a comparison to endoscopic ultrasonography with respect to histopathology

Background

This study was designed to compare the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with double contrast–enhanced ultrasound (DCUS) in the staging of gastric malignancies. DCUS is a transabdominal ultrasound technique using both intravenous and intraluminal contrast to enhance sonographic visualization.

Methods

This retrospective study included 162 patients with biopsy-proven gastric cancer who underwent DCUS and EUS preoperatively with the ultrasound results compared with the pathologic findings of the resected specimens.

Results

The overall accuracy of DCUS and EUS for tumor (T) staging was 77.2% and 74.7%, respectively_. Comparison of ultrasound techniques for T staging revealed that DCUS was superior to EUS only for a tumor depth of T3 (chi-square, P = .025). Lymph nodes were staged correctly with DCUS and EUS in 78.4% and 57.4% of cases, respectively (chi-square, P = .001).

Conclusions

DCUS offers a noninvasive approach for the staging of gastric cancer. DCUS was comparable to EUS in tumor depth evaluation but offered an advantage in lymph node detection.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the utility and shortcomings of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging of gastric cancer and its influence on treatment. METHODS: The series included 126 patients (65 men and 44 women) with gastric cancer who underwent EUS from July 1997 to June 2003 at the National University Hospital, Singapore. The final analysis included 109 patients ranging in age from 29 to 97 years (mean, 63.13 years). RESULTS: EUS staging for primary disease: Specimen histology was available for 102 of the 109 patients who underwent surgery. The accuracy was 79% for T1, 73.9% for T2, 85.7% for T3, and 72.7% for T4. The overall accuracy was 80.4%. EUS staging for nodes: The sensitivity of EUS for detecting nodal disease was 74.2% for N0, 78% for N1, 53.8% for N2, and 50% for N3. Overall, the N staging by EUS showed a sensitivity of 82.8%, a specificity of 74.2%, a positive predictive value of 85.4%, a negative predictive value of 70.2%, and an accuracy of 77.7%. Radical gastrectomy was proposed for 95 patients on the basis of the staging with EUS and computed tomography (CT) scan, and 87 patients (91.6%) underwent the surgery. Preoperative staging accurately predicted the operative strategy for 89% of the patients. No significant predictor for accuracy was achieved by performing a logistic regression analysis for the correct staging of T stage using EUS and adjusting for tumor location (middle part/distal third/whole stomach vs proximal/cardioesophageal) (p = 0.873), operator (p = 0.546), and subject's sequence (initial 50 vs last 50 cases) (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is the most accurate and reliable method for the preoperative staging of gastric carcinomas, and it is mandatory if a tailored therapeutic approach is planned according to stage.     

Clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma. CT, EUS, and PET

CT is readily available to all patients. It is relatively inexpensive and fees are usually reimbursed. It provides exquisite anatomic detail of the chest and abdomen in patients with esophageal cancer. The only reliable use of CT in the determination of T is the exclusion of T4 tumors, which is suggested by the preservation of fat planes. Enlarged lymph nodes are suspicious for metastatic disease but require further study or tissue sampling if nodal metastases will determine treatment. Its major use is in the detection of distant metastatic disease; however, 30% to 60% of distant metastases may be radiographically occult. There is a significant learning curve for EUS staging of esophageal cancer. It is suggested that this study be performed at institutions where there is a dedicated, experienced endoscopic ultrasonographer with adequate instrumentation that allows specialty imaging and EUS-FNA. EUS is the best means of clinically determining T. The addition of EUS-FNA to routine EUS evaluation of lymph nodes allows an accuracy similar to the EUS determination of T. EUS has no purpose in assessment of non-nodal distant metastatic disease; however, the serendipitous finding of distant metastases in adjacent structures visualized during the evaluation of the primary tumor and lymph nodes has, on occasion, detected M1b disease. FDG-PET represents an advance over CT scanning in the screening for distant metastases. The major problems with FDG-PET staging of esophageal cancer is failure to detect metastatic deposits less than 1 cm in diameter and lack of anatomic definition. It is unable to determine T and has been inaccurate in the detection of lymph node metastases. Because this test is not readily available, is expensive, and is not routinely reimbursed, its use in staging esophageal cancer continues to be limited. Today, CT and EUS are the mainstays in the clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma. When possible, FDG-PET should be added to CT to improve the evaluation of non-nodal M1b disease. Results of these studies should determine the necessity for invasive staging techniques and direct their use.     

超声双重造影在胃癌术前TN分期中的价值

目的 在胃癌术前分期中,通过与超声内镜检查(EUS)对比分析超声双重造影(DCUS)检查的价值.方法 选择162例经病理活检证实为胃癌并进行手术切除的患者,手术前5 d内进行EUS及DCUS检查,并进行TNM分期,与术后病理检查结果对照得出正确率,并进行相互比较.结果 本组162例胃癌患者中TNM分期:42例为T1期,49例为T2期,56例为T3期,15例为T4期.DCUS和EUS术前T分期总的正确率分别为77.2%、74.7%(χ2=0.273,P=0.603),而在T3分期上DCUS优于EUS(χ2=5.009,P=0.025);在N分期上两者总的正确率分别为78.4%、57.4%(χ2=16.370,P=0.001),而两者的敏感性和特异性分别为78.4%比49.5%、78.5%比69.2%.在对阳性淋巴结诊断上DCUS的正确率较高(78.4%比49.5%,χ2=17.523,P<0.01),尤其是对低分化腺癌患者阳性淋巴结的诊断正确率较高(81.5%比42.6%,χ2=17.338,P<0.01).结论 DCUS检查在胃癌术前分期中有较好的应用价值,其在预测阳性淋巴结方面,尤其是判断低分化腺癌患者有无淋巴结转移上正确率高于EUS检查.     

Endoscopic ultrasound for preoperative staging of esophageal carcinoma

Background Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is potentially the best method for pretreatment staging of esophageal carcinoma once distant metastases have been excluded by other methods. However, its apparent accuracy might be influenced by the use of neoadjuvant therapy. To determine the accuracy of EUS in patients undergoing esophageal resection, the authors reviewed their experience with EUS. Methods A total of 73 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent an esophagectomy between April 2000 and February 2005 were examined using preoperative EUS and computed tomography (CT). Of these patients, 39 also underwent preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Both EUS and CT scan were used to determine the depth of tumor penetration (T-stage) and the presence of lymph node metastases (N-stage). These results then were compared with staging determined after pathologic examination of the resected surgical specimen. Results For patients not undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, T-stage was accurately determined by EUS in 79%, N-stage in 74%, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) classification in 65% of the cases. However, when patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were included, the overall accuracy of EUS was 64% for T-stage, 63% for N-stage, and 53% for TNM classification. For the patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, EUS indicated a more advanced T-stage in 49%, N-stage in 38%, and TNM classification in 51% of the cases, as compared with pathology. The overall accuracy of EUS for T- and N-stage carcinomas was superior to that of CT scanning. Conclusion For patients who do not undergo preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, EUS is a more accurate method for determining T- and N-stage resected esophageal carcinomas. Neoadjuvant therapy, however, results in apparent overstaging, predominantly because of tumor downstaging, and this reduces the apparent accuracy of EUS (and CT scanning) in this patient group. Nevertheless, EUS staging before neoadjuvant therapy could be more accurate than pathologic staging after treatment, thereby providing better initial staging information, which can be used to facilitate treatment.     

磁共振成像技术对直肠癌术前分期应用的评价

目的探讨MRI直肠成像技术对直肠癌术前分期的价值。方法2004年12月至2006年6月，156例经肠镜和病理确诊为直肠癌的患者在我院行直肠MRI扫描，将影像诊断结果与手术病理结果进行对照。结果156例患者中72例表现为腔内局限性软组织肿块；84例表现为肠壁不规则增厚．肠腔环形狭窄环绕肠腔1周或部分：16例合并直肠息肉，2例合并卵巢囊肿；骶前转移13例．股骨转移2例。MRI对直肠T1-2、T3和L分期的敏感性分别为25.0％（8／32）、93.3％（84／90）、94．1％（32／34），特异性分别为100％（124／124）、57．6％（38／66）、96．7％（118／122）。MRI对肠旁转移淋巴结诊断（直径超过5mm，边界不规则或呈混合信号定为转移）的敏感性85．1％（80／94）．特异性45．2％（28／62）。结论MRI对直肠癌的术前分期诊断有较高的准确性，有助于判断肿瘤直肠浆膜外浸润及区域淋巴结转移。     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for staging patients with carcinoma of the lung

Background. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration is a safe, cost-effective procedure that can confirm the presence of mediastinal lymph node metastases and mediastinal tumor invasion. We studied the accuracy of EUS in a large population of lung cancer patients with and without enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on computed tomographic (CT) scan.

Methods. From 1996 to 2000 all patients referred to our institution with lung tumors and no proven distant metastases were considered for EUS and surgical staging. Patients had endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration of abnormal appearing mediastinal lymph nodes and evaluation for mediastinal invasion of tumor (stage III or IV disease). Patients without confirmed stage III or IV disease had surgical staging.

Results. Two hundred seventy-seven patients met the inclusion criteria, including 121 who had EUS. Endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration detected stage III or IV disease in 85 of 121 (70%). Among patients with enlarged lymph nodes on CT, 75 of 97 (77%) had stage III or IV disease detected by EUS. Among a small cohort of patients without enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on CT, 10 of 24 (42%) had stage III or IV disease detected by EUS. For mediastinal lymph nodes only, the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound and CT was 87%. The specificity of EUS (100%) was superior to that of CT (32%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration identified and histologically confirmed mediastinal disease in more than two thirds of patients with carcinoma of the lung who have abnormal mediastinal CT scans. Although mediastinal disease was more likely in patients with an abnormal mediastinal CT, EUS also detected mediastinal disease in more than one third of patients with a normal mediastinal CT and deserves further study. Endoscopic ultrasound should be considered a first line method of presurgical evaluation of patients with tumors of the lung.     

食管癌术前放化疗后临床再分期的评价

目的探讨食管癌患者术前放化疗（pre-CRT）后采用影像学和内镜检查进行临床再分期的临床价值。方法对27例局部晚期食管鳞癌患者,在接受CRT治疗前采用颈部和胸部及腹部CT、食管超声内镜（EUS）、电子气管镜及PET-CT等检查进行临床分期;完成pre-CRT后再次进行分期。临床疗效评价采用RECIST标准,放化疗后3～6周施行手术,将术后病理结果与术前分期进行对照研究。对常规病理学检测为pT0和pN0病例的组织切片,采用免疫组织化学（免疫组化）染色检测原发灶及淋巴结中的微小肿瘤残留灶。结果全组pre．CRT后,CT对T及N分期的准确率分别为40．9％（9／22）和68．2％（15／22）,总的分期准确率为40．9％（9／22）;EUS对T及N分期的准确率分别为38．5％（5／13）和69．2％（9／13）,总的分期准确率为38．5％（5／13）。联合CT和EUS总的分期准确率为46．2％（6／13）。CRT结束后临床评价完全缓解（CR）5例,部分缓解（PR）14例,无缓解（SD）8例。5例临床评价cR者术后病理证实3例CR,1例pT3N1,1例虽经苏木精．伊红染色为pT0N0,但经免疫组化检测发现淋巴结存在微小肿瘤病灶残留。而术后病理结果pCR的5例患者中,除3例术前评价为CR外。另2例术前临床评价为PR。在15例N0的病例中,免疫组化检测有2例3个淋巴结仍可见食管癌细胞分布于其周边。结论目前常用的临床检查分期手段（食管吞钡、CT、EUS、内镜下病理活检等）和临床疗效评价手段（RECIST标准）对食管癌放化疗后的肿瘤组织反应评价准确率不高。建议CRT后临床评价食管癌CR的患者。仍应接受手术治疗。     

内镜超声检查和多层螺旋CT对胃癌术前T、N分期的比较研究

目的探讨内镜超声(endoscopicultrasonography,EUS)与多层螺旋CT(multi slicespiralCT,MSCT)在胃癌术前T、N分期中的临床应用价值。方法2000年10月至2002年5月,对89例活检证实的胃癌病人术前分别行内镜超声和多层螺旋CT检查,并与手术病理结果对照。结果EUS对胃癌术前T分期的准确率为75.6%,其中T176.5%,T268.8%,T384.4%,T464.7%;MSCT分别79.3%,58.8%,62.5%,90.6%和94.1%。两者差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。EUS对胃癌术前N分期的准确率为57.5%,其中N095.8%,N145.8%,N232.0%;MSCT分别78.1%,70.8%,75.0%和88.0%。EUS和MSCT对胃癌淋巴结转移的敏感性分别为61.2%和91.8%。EUS对N0分期的准确率显著高于MSCT(P<0.05),MSCT对N和N2分期的准确率及淋巴结转移的敏感性均显著高于EUS(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01)。结论内镜超声检查与多层螺旋CT对胃癌术前TN分期均有较高的准确性。     

Endoscopic ultrasound in lung cancer patients with a normal mediastinum on computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is the most common method of staging lung cancer. We have previously shown endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to be highly accurate in staging patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan. In this study we report the accuracy and yield of EUS-FNA in staging patients without enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes by CT. METHODS: Patients with NSCLC and CT scan showing no enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (> 1 cm for all nodes except > 1.2 cm for subcarinal) in the mediastinum underwent EUS. Fine needle aspiration was performed on at least one lymph node, if present, in the upper mediastinum, aortopulmonary window, subcarinal, and periesophagus regions. Each specimen was evaluated with on-site cytopathology and confirmed with complete cytopathologic examination. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients without enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were evaluated. Endoscopic ultrasound detected malignant mediastinal lymph nodes in 14 of 69 patients as well as other advanced (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage III/IV) in 3 others (1 left adrenal, and 2 with mediastinal invasion of tumor) for a total of 17 of 69 (25%, 95% confidence interval: 16% to 34%) patients. Eleven additional patients were found to have advanced disease by bronchoscopy (2), mediastinoscopy (2), and thoracotomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (7). The sensitivity of EUS for advanced mediastinal disease was 61% (49% to 75%), and the specificity was 98% (95% to 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration can detect advanced mediastinal disease and avoid unnecessary surgical exploration in almost one of four patients who have no evidence of mediastinal disease on CT scan. In addition to previously reported results in patients with enlarged lymph nodes on CT, these data suggest that all potentially operable patients with nonmetastatic NSCLC may benefit from EUS staging.     

Diagnosis of esophageal cancer using positron emission tomography

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is more accurate than computed tomography (CT) for evaluating lymph node metastases and for N staging, but less accurate than combined CT and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Lymph nodes located adjacent to the primary lesion tend to be false negatives. We consider that combined FDG-PET and EUS is the most accurate for the detection of lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer. FDG-PET is also more accurate than CT for detecting distant metastases and improves the detection of stage IV disease compared with the conventional staging modalities. For the diagnosis of recurrence except for perianastomotic recurrence, FDG-PET provides additional information and is more sensitive than conventional work-ups. FDGPET is a valuable tool for the noninvasive assessment of tumor response after neoadjuvant therapy. 11C-methionine (MET) is another tracer for PET that can be used to assess the metabolism of amino acids, since MET accumulates in esophageal malignant tumors. Choline-PET is more accurate than FDG-PET for the detection of mediastinal lymph node metastases.     

TNM staging and assessment of resectability of pancreatic cancer by laparoscopic ultrasonography

Background: Laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) is an imaging modality that combines laparoscopy and ultrasonography. The purpose of this prospective blinded study was to evaluate the TNM stage and assessment of resectability by LUS in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: Of the 71 consecutive patients admitted to our department, 36 were excluded from the study, mainly due to evident signs of metastatic disease or another condition that would preclude surgery. Thus, a total of 35 patients were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent abdominal CT scan, ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), diagnostic laparoscopy, and LUS. Histopathologic examination was considered to be the final evaluation for LUS in all but three patients, where EUS was used as the reference. Results: The accuracy of LUS in T staging was 29/33 (80%); in N staging it was 22/34 (76%); in M staging, it was 23/34 (68%); and in overall TNM staging, it was 23/34 (68%). In assessment of nonresectability, distant metastases, and lymph node metastases, the sensitivity was 0.86, 0.43 and 0.67, respectively, for LUS alone. Combining the information gleaned from laparoscopy and LUS, the accuracy in finding nonresectable tumors was 89%. Conclusions: Diagnostic laparoscopy with LUS is highly accurate in TNM staging and assessment of resectability of pancreatic cancer and should be considered an important modality in the assessment algorithm. Received: 6 July 1998/Accepted: 13 October 1998     

Comparison of Linear Array Endoscopic Ultrasound and Helical Computed Tomography for the Staging of Periampullary Malignancies

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare linear array endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and helical computed tomography (CT) scan in the preoperative local staging evaluation of patients with periampullary tumors.Methods: Patients evaluated with EUS and CT for suspected periampullary malignancies from 1996 to 2000 were analyzed. Surgical/pathology staging results were the reference standard.Results: Forty-eight patients (28 men and 20 women; mean age, 62 ± 4.9 years; range, 18–90 years) were identified. Malignancy was histologically confirmed in 44 patients. Parameters evaluated included tumor size, lymph node metastases, and major vascular invasion. EUS was significantly more sensitive (100%), specific (75%), and accurate (98%) than helical CT (68%, 50%, and 67%, respectively) for evaluation of the periampullary mass (P < .05). In addition, EUS detected regional lymph node metastases in more patients than helical CT. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS were 61%, 100%, and 84%, in comparison to 33%, 92%, and 68%, respectively, with CT. Major vascular involvement was noted in 9 of 44 patients. EUS correctly identified vascular involvement in 100% compared with 45% with CT (P < .05).Conclusions: Linear array EUS was consistently superior to helical CT in the preoperative local staging of periampullary malignancies.Presented in part at the Society of Surgical Oncology Parallel Session, Washington, DC, March 2001.