This study, performed by a team led by Professor Mi-Suk Park and Dr Young Chul Kim, is described in a research article to be published on April 14, 2008 issue in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

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 crucial impact on surgical indication or extent of operation. At present, many surgeons perform paraaortic lymphadenectomy for accurate assessment 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 CT scan for the characterization of paraaortic nodes is no different to that of MRI. The results essentially 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.-World Journal of Gastroenterology