Endoscopic ultrasonography of perigastrointestinal lymph nodes.

The introduction of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has opened a window in the diagnosis of the perigastrointestinal lymph nodes. Initial euphoria has been sobered by the fact that false-positive and false-negative diagnoses may occur. We review here the use of EUS to stage gastrointestinal cancer, and particularly to predict the presence or absence of lymph-node metastases. The role of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration using a radial scanner or a curved array echoendoscope is mentioned.