Esophageal carcinoma ranks as the seventh most common malignancy globally, with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) constituting over 80 % of cases in East Asia [1,2]. Lymph node metastasis (LNM), occurring in 38.2 %-43 % of ESCC patients at diagnosis, represents a pivotal prognostic determinant, correlating strongly with reduced 5-year survival rates [3,4]. Accurate preoperative assessment of lymph node status is essential for developing a surgical strategy and thus improving the prognosi…