TRANSESOPHAGEAL SONOGRAPHY IN THE STAGING OF LUNG-CANCER

Cancer: Purpose: The usefulness of transesophageal sonography in stagi ng lung cancer was examined. Method: Transoesophageal sonography was p erformed in 15 patients as a staging examination using either biplane or multiplane technique. The results were compared with other radiolog ical techniques such as computed tomography and, if performed, with th e findings in the operation. Results: The neoplastic mass was correctl y identified in 12 of the 15 patients. Transoesophageal sonography is a very useful examination, more so than computed tomography, for ident ification of a tumour infiltration into great Vessels or cardiovascula r structures. In 8 cases we found para-aortal tumour masses and in 4 c ases infiltration of the pulmonary artery. In 2 cases we could show an infiltration of heart chambers. The sensitivity for detecting lymph n odes was 80% in the lower mediastinum and, because of method limitatio ns, only 33% in the upper mediastinum. Conclusion: Transoesophageal so nography is an excellent addition to the already well established stag ing methods in staging lung cancer. This examination clearly has advan tages over the conventional methods (CT scan) for the diagnosis of ves sel involvement, extrinsic compression of the heart, and for the recog nition of lymph node metastases. The limitation of this examination is the restriction to the paraoesophageal area and reduced effectiveness in areas filled with air and other nonconductive structures.