Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the preoperative assessment of patients with oesophageal cancer.

Despite encouraging results from Europe and America, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has yet to become established in the United Kingdom. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate its value in the assessment of patients with benign and malignant oesophageal conditions, and in particular to assess its reliability for local tumour (T) and lymph node (N) staging in patients with oesophageal cancer. EUS was performed in 90 patients: 23 were normal controls, 17 had benign oesophageal diseases and 50 had operable oesophageal cancer. Detailed measurements of the oesophageal wall and regional nodes were made and the accuracy of EUS for locoregional tumour staging was compared with final histology. EUS visualised the normal oesophageal wall as a multilayered structure, thicker distally than proximally. Distal stenotic conditions caused thickening of the proximal wall and loss of this gradient. EUS was highly accurate for both local tumour (92% correct) and lymph node staging (86% correct) and was better than computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and open staging performed by the surgeon. Fine needle aspiration biopsy using radial scanning EUS guidance was shown to be feasible. EUS is a valuable technique for investigation of both benign and malignant oesophageal conditions. It provides highly accurate local tumour and regional lymph node staging data in patients with oesophageal cancer.