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Address for correspondence: Deepraj S. Bhandarkar, India House No. 2, Kemps Corner, Mumbai - 400 036, India.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Background: Abdominallymphadenopathy(AL)-
a common clinical scenario faced by clinicians -
oftenposesadiagnosticchallenge.Intheabsence
of palpable peripheral nodes, tissue has to be
obtainedfromtheabdominalnodesbyimage-guided
biopsy or surgery. In this context a laparoscopic
biopsy avoids the morbidity of a laparotomy.
Aim: Thisretrospectiveanalysisofprospectively
collected data represents our experience with
laparoscopic biopsy of abdominal lymph nodes.
Materials and Methods: BetweenOctober2000
andNovember2005,28patientswithALunderwent
laparoscopic biopsy. Pre-operative radiological
imagingstudieshadidentifiedanodalmassin20,
a solitary node in 1, a cold abscess in 1 and a
mesentericcysticlesionin1patient.Infivepatients
withchronicrightlowerabdominalpainandnormal
ultra-sonographicfindingsmesentericnodeswere
i denti fi ed and bi opsi ed duri ng di agnosti c
laparoscopy.Results: Thesitesofbiopsiedlymph
nodes included para-aortic (10), mesenteric (8),
or (c) previously undiagnosed lymphadenopathy is
encounteredduringdiagnosticlaparoscopy.
Key words: Abdomen, biopsy, laparoscopy, lymph node,
lymphoma, tuberculosis
INTRODUCTION
A patient presenting with abdominal lymphadenop-
athy (AL) is a common scenario in clinical practice. In
those who have associated peripheral lymphadenop-
athy (PL) a biopsy, which can often be performed under
local anesthesia, often yields the diagnosis. Howev-
er, in the absence of PL diagnostic tissue is more dif-
ficult to obtain.
Image-guided needle biopsy (IGNB), whenever
feasible, represents a minimally invasive method of
obtaining tissue from enlarged abdominal lymph
Laparoscopic biopsy in patients with abdominal
lymphadenopathy
D S Bhandarkar, R S Shah*, A N Katara, M Shankar, V A Chandiramani**, T E Udwadia
Departments of Minimal Access Surgery, *Pediatric Surgery, **General Surgery, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital, Veer Savarkar Road,
Mahim, Mumbai, India
externaliliac(3),leftgastric(2),obturator(1),aorto-
caval (1) and porta hepatis (1). One patient with
enlargedperipancreaticnodesmassandanother
withamesentericcysticmasshadcoldabscesses
drained in addition to biopsy.There were no
perioperative complications and the median
postoperative stay was 2days (range 1-4days).
Histopathologyrevealedtuberculosisin23patients,
reactive adenitis in 2, lymphoma in 1 metastatic
carcinomain1,andaretroperitonealsarcomain1.
Conclusions: In patients with AL, laparoscopy
providesasafeandeffectivemeansofobtaining
biopsy.Itisofparticularvalueinpatientsinwhom
(a) the nodes are small or present in locations
unsuitableforimage-guidedbiopsy,(b)adequate
tissuecannotbeobtainedbyimage-guidedbiopsy
nodes. However, diagnosis may be difficult when
needle biopsy yields inadequate tissue or tissue that
has lost its architecture. In patients with nodes
situated in close proximity to major blood vessels or
important viscera, IGNB may be hazardous. Moreover,
in patients suspected to have lymphoma, IGNB fails
to provide adequate tissue specimen to allow special
tests for accurate sub-classification.
Surgeons experienced in laparoscopic surgery are able
to biopsy lymph intra-abdominal at almost all
locations including those from areas that are
considered difficult to access by IGNB. Moreover,
laparoscopy affords the surgeon an opportunity to
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | January-March 2007 | Volume 3 | Issue 1 1 4
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Bhandarkar, et al.: Laparoscopic biopsy in abdominal lymphadenopathy

examine the entire abdominal viscera. In this study
we review our experience with the use of laparoscopic
biopsy in patients with AL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between October 2000 and January 2006, 28 patients
under went laparoscopic biopsy of AL. We
retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data
of mesenteric nodal mass, a biopsy became neces-
sary four months later when the response was found
to be poor.
Operative technique
All operations were carried out under general
endotracheal anesthesia with the patients placed in
modified Lloyd-Davis, left lateral, right lateral or Tren-
delenburg positions to optimally expose the site of
on these patients. There were nine men and 19
identified lymphadenopathy. A nasogastric tube and
women with a median age of 27 years (range 6-77
Foley catheter were inserted as appropriate; both were
years). The presenting features included chronic ab-
removed at the end of surgery.
dominal pain (7), pain, weight loss and fever (10),
pain and weight loss (3), abdominal lump (2), pyrexia
For upper abdominal procedures a 10-mm camera
of unknown origin (5), and backache (1). None of
port was placed slightly above the umbilicus and a
these patients had palpable peripheral lymph nodes
5-mm working port in each mid-clavicular line. In
suitable for biopsy. In 23 patients, pre-operative
addition, a self-retaining retractor was set up to
ultrasound scan and/or computerized tomography
retract the left lobe of liver. The para-aortic nodes
(CT) scan had identified the site of lymphadenopathy
were biopsied by placing the camera port to the right
[Figure 1]. One patient was shown to have a lesion
of the midline at the level of umbilicus and two
suspected to be a mesenteric cyst. Ten patients had
working ports in the midline on either side. For biopsy
an earlier IGNB; in nine the tissue obtained was non-
of the external iliac lymph nodes, the camera port
diagnostic and in the one patient in whom the biopsy
was placed at the umbilicus along with two 5-mm
revealed lymphoma, the tissue was considered
port in para-rectus positions. In patients with chronic
inadequate for sub-classification. Eleven patients were
abdominal pain undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy
considered poor candidates for image-guided biopsy
a 10-mm camera port was placed at the umbilicus
as the enlarged lymph nodes were present in
and two 5-mm ports were placed in supra-pubic re-
unsuitable locations (7) or small (4). In five patients
gion and left iliac fossa.
presenting with chronic right lower abdominal pain
and having normal imaging studies, mesenteric
In all patients a preliminary exploratory laparoscopy
lymph nodes were identified at diagnostic
was undertaken to examine the peritoneal surface,
laparoscopy. In one patient who was empirically
bowel and liver. The bowel and viscera were displaced
started on anti-tubercular therapy upon identification
from the site of lymphadenopathy by further tilting
the table. The peritoneum overlying the lymph nodes
was incised and the surface cleared to create a wide
window. Either a complete node (when the nodes
were discrete) or two to three incisional biopsies (in
cases with nodal masses) were obtained [Figure 2].
After the biopsy, hemostasis at the cut edges of the
lymph node was secured with electrocautery. Two
patients underwent treatment of cold abscesses. In
one patient a pre-operatively identified peripancreatic
and in another an unsuspected mesenteric abscess
was drained, cavities were irrigated and suction drains
placed. In all patients the specimens were removed
either with the help of a 10-mm cup forceps or after
Figure 1: CT scan showing a para-aortic lymph nodal mass (arrow) placing them in an impervious plastic bag. The fascia
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Bhandarkar, et al.: Laparoscopic biopsy in abdominal lymphadenopathy

at the site of all 10-mm ports was closed under vi-
Laparoscopic lymph node biopsy was completed in
all patients. Table 1 shows the findings on imaging,
sites of lymphadenopathy at laparoscopy, procedures
performed, and histopathological diagnosis reached.
Laparoscopy had not identified peritoneal or bowel
lesions in any of the patients in whom the histology
of the nodes subsequently revealed tuberculosis. The
median operative time was 45 minutes (range 30-
Out of the 23 patients diagnosed to have tubercular
lymphadenopathy, 22 were treated with first-line anti-
tubercular drug therapy. In one patient undergoing
laparoscopic biopsy of a mesenteric nodal mass
responding poorly to empirical anti-tubercular
therapy, the organisms were found to be susceptible
to second-line anti-tubercular drugs. Two patients in
whom the mesenteric lymph nodes revealed reactive
changes received no further treatment. One patient
who had previously undergone surgery for carcinoma
of cervix and was found to have metastatic obturator
nodes refused further therapy. The patient with
lymphoma underwent chemotherapy. This patient at
original presentation had a serum creatinine of 1.8
mg% along with left-sided hydronephrosis and
hydroureter. A JJ stent inserted at the time of nodal
biopsy was removed 3 months later after regression
of the nodes following chemotherapy.
Figure 2: External iliac node being dissected
Table 1: Imaging and laparoscopy findings, procedures performed, and final diagnosis
USG/Computerized tomography Laparoscopic findings Procedure
Normal USG (5) Mesenteric Lap. appendicectomy +
90). There were no intra-operative or post-operative
complications and the blood loss was less than 30
mL in all patients. All patients were given parenteral
analgesia for the first 24 hours post-operatively and
most required minimal oral analgesia thereafter. All
patients except the two who had drainage of cold
abscesses were discharged after 2 days; the latter
two patients stayed in the hospital for 4 days. There
were no intra- or post-operative complications.
nodes nodal biopsy
sion.
RESULTS
Histopathology of nodes
TB (3),
Reactive (2)
Nodal mass (20)
Para-aortic (9) Nodal mass (9) Biopsy (9) TB (7)
Mesenteric (3) Nodal mass Biopsy + adhesiolysis Lymphoma (1)
External iliac (3) Nodal mass Biopsy Sarcoma (1)
Left gastric (2) Nodal mass Biopsy TB (3)
Obturator (1) Nodal mass Biopsy TB (3)
Aorto-caval (1) Nodal mass Biopsy TB (2)
Porta hepatis (1) Nodal mass Biopsy Metastatic (1)
TB (1)
TB (1)
Peripancreatic mass Nodal mass with Drainage of cold abscess TB (1)
with abscess (1) cold abscess with biopsy
Solitary node (1) Solitary node Biopsy TB (1)
Mesenteric cyst (1) Cold abscess Drainage of cold abscess
with biopsy TB (1)
Figuresinparenthesesindicatenumberofpatients.USG-Ultrasonography,TB-Tuberculosis,JJ-DoubleJ
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Bhandarkar, et al.: Laparoscopic biopsy in abdominal lymphadenopathy

DISCUSSION
The common clinical scenarios in which AL manifests
include a palpable mass, pyrexia of unknown origin
or lymphadenopathy identified on imaging studies
or at laparotomy/laparoscopy. Common causes of AL
are metastases, tuberculosis, lymphoma, sarcoidosis,
and non-specific inflammation.
core biopsy of abdominal lymph nodes located in
favorable locations can provide adequate samples.
However, IGNB techniques may yield inadequate tis-
sue and on occasions, presence of nodes adjacent to
major blood vessels or important viscera may render
this modality hazardous. Asoglu et al. attempted
laparoscopic biopsy in 94 patients and completed it
successfully in 78.
[5]
A laparotomy was required in 16
patients (17%) due to inadequate exposure,
In the developing world lymphadenopathy is a
insufficient tissue, or post- operative adhesions.
common manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis.
Lymphoma was diagnosed in 69 patients - in 55 (80%)
Although, ultra-sonography and CT are useful in iden-
via laparoscopy, in 9 (13%) via laparotomy and in 5
tifying AL, imaging findings may not always disease-
(7%) with later procedures. Of the remaining 25
specific. Nodes with low density centers, although
patients, 7 had non-lymphomatous disease and 18
characteristic of tuberculosis, are not pathognomonic
had benign lymphadenopathy. The false-negative rate
and nodal calcification suggestive of tuberculosis can
for the laparoscopic procedures was 6%. One patient
also be observed in metastases from testicular
required conversion to laparotomy for intra-opera-
teratoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
[1]
Thus, ac-
tive hemorrhage. Several other authors have report-
quisition of a tissue sample is vital for accurate diag-
ed successful use of laparoscopy for obtaining biop-
nosis. In skilled hands ultrasonographically guided fine
sy material from abdominal lymph nodes in patients
needle aspiration cytology
[2]
or CT-guided needle
with lymphoproliferative disorders.
[6,7]
can yield tissue samples adequate for
cise a complete lymph node without having to re-
diagnosis. In our series, more than a third of the pa-
sort to a laparotomy stands out as the single signifi-
tients (11/28) were considered poor candidates for IGNB
cant benefit of laparoscopic biopsy in the clinical
and in further ten patients laparoscopic biopsy was
setting of suspected lymphoma.
required despite previous IGNB as the tissue obtained
was nondiagnostic (9) or more tissue was sought (1).
In patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for
Starting patients diagnosed with AL on empirical anti-
chronic right lower abdominal pain, previously
tuberculous therapy - as was done in one of our patients
unidentified small mesenteric nodes may be picked
- is a practice fraught with the danger of missing out
up. We always excise completely a representative node
on or delaying the diagnosis of a more sinister
in such a situation. Three of five patients who
pathology. Obtaining a substantial sample is
underwent biopsy of incidentally detected mesenteric
mandatory in patients suspected to have lymph nodal
nodes during diagnostic laparoscopy were found to
Ability to ex-
biopsy
[3]
tuberculosis resistant to the first-line anti-tubercular
drugs for bacteriological culture and antibiotic
sensitivity. Pus in cold abscesses developing in relation
to abdominal nodes is often thick and loculated, thus
making it unsuitable for imaged-guided drainage.
Traditional therapy involves laparotomy and drainage
but laparoscopic drainage allows clearing up of all
loculi as also confers upon the patient all the benefits
of a minimally invasive approach.
[4]
Another common indication for laparoscopic biopsy
of abdominal lymph nodes reported in the literature
is establishment of diagnosis and sub-classification
of lymphoma. In experienced hands, use of CT-guided
have lymph nodal tuberculosis. As all these patients
had longstanding right lower abdominal pain, an
appendicectomy was performed concurrently to avoid
future diagnostic confusion.
Lymph nodes identified on imaging studies in
patients being investigated for pyrexia of unknown
origin (PUO) forms yet another indication for
laparoscopic lymph node biopsy. Arch-Ferrer et al.
reported 15 patients with PUO who underwent
diagnostic laparoscopy.
[8]
Tissue samples were
obtained from liver, spleen and lymph nodes which
allowed an etiologic diagnosis to be reached in 10
patients and in ruled out abdominal pathology as
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Bhandarkar, et al.: Laparoscopic biopsy in abdominal lymphadenopathy

cause for the PUO in four others. Thus, 93% of the
patients undergoing laparoscopy were benefited by
the procedure.
Some of the technical aspects of laparoscopic biopsy
of abdominal lymph nodes merit elucidation. A care-
ful study of the CT scan helps in planning the ap-
proach to the target area and position of ports. Prop-
er positioning of the patient allows the bowel and
CONCLUSION
To summarize, laparoscopic biopsy represents a min-
imally invasive method of obtaining tissue from en-
larged abdominal nodes present in locations unsuit-
able for IGNB, when tissue obtained by IGNB is
inadequate and when previously unsuspected lym-
phadenopathy is identified during diagnostic lapar-
oscopy. This method allows a surgeon experienced
other viscera to fall away from the site of lymphade-
in laparoscopic technique to obtain adequate-sized
nopathy. A liver retractor may have to be placed when
biopsy specimen under visual control from lymph
working in the upper abdomen. Large nodal masses
nodes in almost any intra-abdominal location. With
are readily apparent through the overlying
its easy availability, early and judicious use of lapar-
peritoneum but in obese patients discrete nodes may
oscopic biopsy should be considered in the algorithm
sometimes be hidden in fatty tissue making their
of work up of patients with AL.
identification difficult. A generous incision on the
peritoneum and a careful search usually reveals the
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Our series does not represent all patients with AL seen
at the institution during the study period. Majority
were patients in whom an IGNB had failed or was not
feasible thus leading to a referral for laparoscopic lymph
node biopsy. It is likely that in several other patients
either biopsy of palpable peripheral nodes or an IGNB
had provided the diagnosis. Thus analysis of our data
is unable to provide an insight into the percentage of
patients with AL who may go on to require a
laparoscopic biopsy.
lymphoproliferative disorders. World J Surg 2003;27:653-8.
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Cite this article as: Bhandarkar DS, Shah RS, Katara AN, Shankar M,
ChandiramaniVA,UdwadiaTE.Laparoscopicbiopsyinpatientswithabdominal
lymphadenopathy. J MinAccess Surg 2007;3:14-8.
Date of submission: 21/08/06, Date of acceptance: 10/12/06
Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | January-March 2007 | Volume 3 | Issue 1 1 8