Antegrade spermatic phlebography in the diagnosis of metastases from testicular tumors.

Antegrade spermatic phlebography was performed in 18 patients in connection with orchiectomy because of testicular expanding lesions and was compared with other diagnostic methods. Fifteen of the cases were teratomas or seminomas. In 6 patients metastases were demonstrated at phlebography and later confirmed. In one case no abnormality was found at phlebography, nor at CT, but at lymphography metastases were found in not enlarged lymph nodes. Due to technical error at phlebography one case was falsely considered abnormal. The technique is described and its use as a screening procedure for metastases is advocated.