LAPAROSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF ABDOMINAL LYMPH-NODES - CORRELATION WITH PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

The value of laparoscopic ultrasonographic criteria for distinguishing benign from malignant lymph nodes was assessed. The following criteri a were evaluated in 41 lymph nodes: (1) long axis diameter, (2) short axis diameter, (3) long axis-short axis ratio, (4) nodal border deline ation, (5) presence of hyperechoic hilar reflection, (6) echogenicity, and (7) inhomogeneity. Pathologic examination showed malignant infilt ration in 11 lymph nodes and the absence of malignant infiltration in 30 lymph nodes. The presence of a hyperechoic center or a long axis-sh ort axis ratio more than 2 suggested the absence of malignant infiltra tion, whereas inhomogeneity was suggestive of malignant infiltration. The other criteria did not seem useful in distinguishing benign from m alignant lymph nodes.