[Lymphography in childhood (author's transl)].

Fifty-one lymphograms were performed in children; the indications, technique and results are discussed. Indications are the search for retroperitoneal involvement in lymphogranulomatosis, lympho-sarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma; in the search for metastases from malignant tumours, particularly abdominal neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcomas of the abdomen and lower extremities, testicular tumours and malignant melanomas and finally, for primary lymph-oedema and lymphangiomas. Technique is the same as for adults, but requires particular manual dexterity. Children under six years require general anaesthesia. Amongst 28 children with malignant lymphomas, pathological changes in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes were found in seven. In six, this resulted in a change of the staging. Five out of 16 lymphograms in children with malignant tumours showed evidence of lymph node metastases. All six lymphangiograms in children with lymphoedema and lymphangiomas were abnormal.