Shape of retroperitoneal lymph nodes at computed tomography does not correlate to metastatic disease in early stage non-seminomatous testicular tumors.

Variety Range (difference between the maximum and minimum transverse diameters in percentage of the minimum diameter) was calculated for 86 lumbar lymph nodes with maximum diameter ranging between 5 mm and 19 mm at CT. The nodes were located within a group (pre- and paracaval, interaortico-caval, pre- and paraaortic) which was removed during primary lymphadenectomy for non-seminomatous testicular tumor. Most nodes were fairly rounded with a Variety Range less than 20%. There was no difference between the largest node in a metastasis group (Variety Range less than 20% in 29 out of 36) and tumor free nodes (Variety Range less than 20% in 39 out of 50). A rounded shape of lymph nodes measuring less than 20 mm on transverse CT sections was not a reliable sign of metastasis in patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumor.