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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Location, Dissection, and Analysis of the Murine Stellate Ganglion
Published on: December 22, 2020
EUS characteristics of celiac ganglia with cytologic and histologic confirmation
Henning Gerke1, Rogelio G Silva, Dany Shamoun
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive-4568 JCP, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Background:
Celiac ganglia have not been previously identified by EUS.
Objective:
To assess whether celiac ganglia can be detected by EUS and to define their characteristics.
Design:
Retrospective review followed by prospective study.
Methods:
Retrospective characterization was performed of all celiac ganglia that were incidentally identified by EUS-guided FNA or tru-cut needle biopsy from January 2004 to October 2005. We also prospectively assessed if these structures could be visualized in consecutive patients undergoing curved linear-array EUS.
Patients:
Seven patients with celiac ganglia diagnosed by EUS-guided FNA (n = 7) and/or tru-cut needle biopsy (n = 1) were reviewed. Twenty-two patients were prospectively evaluated by curved-linear-array EUS.
Settings:
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Main Outcome Measurements:
EUS features and detection rate of celiac ganglia.
Results:
All retrospectively evaluated celiac ganglia were identified anterior to the aorta, slightly to the left, and cephalad to the celiac artery take-off, and medial to the left adrenal gland. The mean distance from the celiac artery take-off was 10 mm (+/-3 mm); mean size was 13 mm (+/-3 mm) by 6 mm (+/-2 mm). They appeared as hypoechoic and multilobulated structures with hyperechoic strands. Celiac ganglia with sonographic features as described above were identified in 16 of 22 prospectively evaluated patients (73%).
Limitations:
Small number of patients; no tissue confirmation of prospectively evaluated patients.
Conclusions:
Celiac ganglia can be identified with curved linear-array EUS in the majority of patients. Their typical EUS appearance allows distinction from celiac lymph nodes.
