Computed tomography and lymphogram correlation in children with Hodgkin's disease.

In 17 children with Hodgkin's disease, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and bipedal lymphangiography findings were correlated in an attempt to assess the accuracy of CT in excluding the presence of retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenopathy. There was excellent correlation in 14 (82%) patients. In 13 of these, both studies were negative; in one, enlarged nodes were noted in the pelvis on both studies, which otherwise revealed no abnormality in the remainder of the abdomen. In one other patient, CT revealed lymphadenopathy high in the abdomen and these nodes were not filled with contrast medium at lymphangiography. Lymphangiography revealed pelvic lymphadenopathy in 2 (12%) patients in whom the CT scan was initially interpreted as normal. If strict attention is paid to adequate opacification of the bowel and retroperitoneal vasculature, CT is an accurate modality for excluding retroperitoneal and pelvic lymphadenopathy, particularly in older children.