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Learning the nodal stations in the abdomen

¹ Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM 360, ² Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard Box 57, Houston, Texas 77030, USA

Correspondence: Janio Szklaruk, Department of Diagnostic Rodiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 57, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: jszklaruk{at}di.mdacc.tmc.edu

The normal pathways of lymphatic drainage from the abdominal organs have been well described in the classic anatomy literature. Knowledge of the location and nomenclature of the common nodal stations in the abdomen are essential for complete report of radiological findings. CT is ubiquitous in the evaluation of oncology patients. Utilizing colour-coded CT images of the abdomen we will present the nomenclature and location of the nodal stations for common abdominal neoplasms, including those of the stomach, pancreas, liver, colon and the kidney. Understanding the nomenclature and the usual lymphatic pathways of metastasis will help radiologists detect disease spread from abdominal tumours. The goal of this pictorial review is to present the nodal stations, nomenclature and location of regional lymph nodes for the most common abdominal neoplasms. In addition, the reader can use this document as a handbook to learn and review this information.