2026 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 50-56
Background: Para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis in biliary tract cancer (BTC) is classified as distant metastasis. This study evaluated the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in detecting lymphadenopathy of PALN in resected BTC.
Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 40 patients with resected BTC who underwent preoperative EUS between July 2012 and July 2024. A total of 53 PALNs, with a short diameter ≥5mm identified on preoperative CT, were analyzed.
Results: The median long and short diameters of PALN on CT were 10.3mm and 7.0mm, respectively. The sensitivity of EUS in detecting PALN was 28% (15/53), while the puncture line was obtained in 13% (7/53). A short diameter ≥7mm was a factor effecting EUS detection with multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: The sensitivity of EUS in detecting lymphadenopathy of PALN identified by preoperative CT in resected BTC cases was 28%.
