Diagnostic Value of Intraoperative Ultrasonography in Assessing Thoracic Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Lymph Nodes in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Hong Yang

Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, GUANGZHOU, China

Date, time and location: 2018.05.25 13:30, Congress Hall, 2F–C

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of intraoperative ultrasonography (IU) to detect recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) nodal metastases in esophageal cancer patients.

Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with esophageal cancer underwent IU, computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) to assess for RLN nodal metastasis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were compared.

Results: The sensitivities of IU, CT, and EUS in diagnosing right RLN nodal metastases were 71.4%, 14.3%, and 30.0%, respectively, and a significant difference among these three examinations was observed (c2 = 10.077, P = .006). The specificities of IU, CT, and EUS for diagnosing right RLN nodal metastasis were 67.4%, 97.8%, and 95.0%, respectively, and a significant difference was observed (c2 = 21.725, P < .001). No significant differences in either PPV or NPV were observed when diagnosing right RLN nodal metastases. For diagnosis of left RLN lymph nodal metastases, the sensitivities of IU, CT, and EUS were 91.7%, 16.7%, and 40.0% respectively. There was a significant difference among these diagnostic sensitivities (c2 = 14.067, P = .001). The specificities of IU, CT, and EUS for diagnosis of left RLN nodal metastases were 79.2%, 100%, and 82.5%, respectively and a significant difference was observed (c2 = 10.819, P = .004). No significant differences were observed in PPV or NPV for these examinations when diagnosing left RLN nodal metastases.

Conclusion: Intraoperative ultrasonography showed superior sensitivity compared with preoperative CT or EUS in detecting RLN lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.