ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the normal anatomy of the lymphatic system draining the biliary trees and the prevalence of variable lymphatic spread of primary biliary carcinoma into these extrahepatic planes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 46 pathologically confirmed among 116 cases underwent abdominal CT. RESULTS: Of 17 patients with gallbladder cancer, nodal metastsis was proved in 10(59%) cases, direct organ invasion in 3(18%) cases, and peritoneal spread in 2(12%) cases. After a radicaloperation, nodal invasion was developed in 4 patients and peritoneal spread in 5 patients. Of 11 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, nodal metastasis was proved in 6(55%) patients. Four patients developed paritoneal dissemination later. Of 18 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, however, nodal metastasis was proved in only 6(33%), but 5 among 12 patients who took a radical operation showed recurrence. CONCLUSION: The lymph node of the foramen of Winslow and pancreaticoduodenal lymph node were prevalent sites in the nodal metastasis of biliary carcinoma and CT was helpful in the indentification of this lymphadenopathy and extrabiliary spread on both initial and follow-up studies.