Endoscopic ultrasonography of lymph nodes surrounding the upper GI tract

We investigated the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) of lymph nodes surrounding the upper GI tract and tried the enhanced EUS by the method of the oral administration of '10% oil-in-water-type emulsion.' The results were as follows: The ultrasonographic visualization rate of lymph nodes surrounding the esophagus was 33.7% in total; however, it was 43.4% for those greater than 5 mm and 58.7% for those greater than 10 mm. The frequency of lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer was 48.1% for those larger than 10mm with a round shape and 14.3% for the same size with an ellipsoid shape; for those less than 10mm, it was also low. Lymph nodes surrounding the esophagus and the stomach were enhanced by administration of 10% oil-in-water-type emulsion. The visualization rate of lymph nodes can be increased by using this new method. Endoscopic ultrasonography is very useful for the detection of swelling lymph nodes surrounding the upper GI tract before the operation.