Assessing the Accuracy of CT and MRI in Paraaortic Lymphadenectomy Patients

Paraaortic lymph node metastasis in patients with pancreaticobiliary carcinoma has been reported as a distinct predictor of early recurrence and shorter survival term.

A new study performed by a team of researchers led by Prof. Mi-Suk Park and Dr. Young Chul Kim from the department of diagnostic radiology, Severance Hospital (Seoul, Republic of Korea) evaluated the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with paraaortic lymphadenectomy. The findings were published in a research article in the April 14, 2008, issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG).

The study evaluated 31 patients who underwent paraaortic lymphadenectomy to determine the accuracy of CT and MRI for presurgical characterization of paraaortic lymph nodes in patients with pancreatico-biliary carcinoma. In patients with pancreatico-biliary carcinoma, paraaortic lymph node metastasis has a vital impact on surgical indication or extent of operation. Presently, many surgeons perform paraaortic lymphadenectomy for accurate evaluation and decision for adequate extent of operation. However, because of its invasiveness and complications, paraaortic lymphadenectomy for pancreatico-biliary carcinoma is controversial

The accuracy of a CT scan for the characterization of paraaortic nodes is no different to that of MRI. These findings, in essence, support the validity of current clinical practice in the use of CT and MRI in the evaluation of paraaortic lymph node metastasis in patients with pancreatico-biliary carcinoma. CT or MRI could be used when selecting of candidates for lymphadenectomy in patients with pancreatico-biliary carcinoma.


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