[Value of computer tomography during investigation of sub-diaphragmatic adenopathies occurring during the course of lymphomas and pelvic cancers (author's transl)].

A series of 60 patients were examined by abdominopelvic computer tomography 48 hours after foot lymphography. The diagnosis was Hodgkins's disease in 10 patients, lymphomas other than Hodgkin's in 20 cases, and 30 patients with pelvic carcinomas. The value of lymphography in lymphomas other than Hodgkin's is re-emphasized, and a good correlation exists between the results obtained and those observed with computer tomography, which is particularly useful for studying the upper lumbo-aortic regions. The group of Hodgkin's disease patients particularly demonstrates the limits of pelvic lymph node investigations with computer tomography, but supplies confirmation of the quality of examination of the lumbo-aortic chains. The group of patients with pelvic carcinomas is more heterogenous, and computer tomography is if greater value, mainly in cases with blocked lymphatics. Computer tomography examinations do not replace lymphography in the study of sub-diaphragmatic lymph node chains but are a useful complement as they demonstrate excluded or poorly opacified adenopathies. When lymphography is contra-indicated, computer tomography can supply valuable information, but the differential diagnosis of inguino-iliac chain lesions is difficult. Computer tomography is a logical procedure during pretreatment investigations whenever there is a doubt concerning possible lesions in the lumbo-aortic chains. It is the most valid guide for establishing details of a course of radiotherapy.