Diagnostic accuracy of lymphangiography in the demonstration of histologically verified retroperitoneal lymph node metastases of testicular tumours.

Bipedal lymphangiography was performed in 101 cases of testicular tumour for the detection of retroperitoneal lymph node deposits. The lymphangiograms of 51 patients have been checked against the results of microscopic study of lymphadenectomy specimens. The radiogram was false-positive in 3, false-negative in 7 cases. The lymphangiographic diagnosis was accurate in 81 per cent of the cases. The other diagnostic possibilities--computerized tomography, ultrasonography, isotope lymphangiography--are also discussed. The main advantage of bipedal lymphangiography is to provide information on the structures of the lymph nodes and on the lymphatic channels as well. Combination of several diagnostic methods provides for a high accuracy of staging.