LAPAROSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR ABDOMINAL-TUMOR STAGING

In recent years, laparoscopic ultrasonography has been introduced as a n adjunct to diagnostic laparoscopy for staging of tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tree, and pancreas. It has pro ved feasible to visualize most anatomic structures in the upper abdome n consistently and in detail with laparoscopic ultrasonography. Recent publications indicate that laparoscopic ultrasonography may be useful for detecting small liver metastases, lymph node metastases, small pr imary tumors of the pancreas and stomach. The ongoing improvements in US technology the results of larger studies will in the near future de termine the precise place of this new imaging modality for staging of abdominal tumors.