Purpose: Transabdominal ultrasonography is able to detect normal sized peri
hepatic lymph nodes. The role of transabdominal ultrasonography in detectin
g normal lymph nodes in other abdominal locations has not yet been examined
. Methods: 92 healthy volunteers (57 male, 35 female; age: 33 +/- 9 [19 - 6
6] years) were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography. The peripancreat
ic region, the location between the inferior vena cava and aorta, left para
aortal region, and the right mesenteric region next to the terminal ileum w
ere studied with high resolution ultrasound. All transabdominal ultrasound
examinations were performed with a 3.5 and 5 MHz probe using a special magn
ification mode without substantial loss of resolution (RES(R)-mode, Acuson)
and additionally by colour doppler imaging (Acuson XP). Results: In 80/92
(87%) of the healthy subjects, all regions could be adequately visualized.
In 72% of patients with adequate visualization, abdominal lymph nodes were
detectable. Abdominal lymph nodes could be sonographically detected peripan
creatically in 14/80 (18%), in the location between the inferior vena cava
and aorta in 44/80 (55%), in the left paraaortal region in 32/80 (40%), and
in the right mesenteric region next to the terminal ileum in 31/80 (39%) o
f the healthy subjects. Conclusion: High resolution ultrasonography is able
to detect normal lymph nodes in different abdominal locations in 72% of he
althy subjects. Sonographic detection of singular normal-sized abdominal ly
mph nodes is not indicative of abdominal disease.