[Frequency and ways of filling lymph nodes above the diaphragm with contrast medium during anterograde lymphography of the thoracic duct].

The data on contrast radiography of the lymph nodes situated above the diaphragm have been obtained in 246 out of 342 patients subject to the investigation of their normal thoracic ducts. It has been stated that the contrast picture of the lymph nodes situated far from the thoracic duct (peritracheal, bronchopulmonary, bifurcational and anterior mediastinum) is the most difficult to obtain. Retrograde filling of the supraclavicular, posterior inferior diaphragmal intercostal nodes with the contrast material occurs more often via the deferent lymphatic vessels which get into the thoracic duct. Besides, the frequency on simultaneous filling with the contrast material of various groups of the lymph nodes along the course of the thoracic duct has been studied. It has been stated that in 46.7% of the patients only one group of the lymph nodes become contrasted, less often--2 (23.1%) and still less often--3-4 groups (14.2% and 10.2% respectively). For the first time the intercalated lymph nodes along the course of the thoracic duct have been described; they are filled with the contrast substance anterogradelly via short connective branches.