Abdominal staging of testicular tumors using ultrasonography and computed tomography.

There were 36 patients with testicular tumors who underwent abdominal staging by ultrasonography, computed tomography or both before removal and pathologic examination of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Results showed that ultrasonography and computed tomography are accurate in predicting retroperitoneal metastases in more than 80 per cent of the patients, although computed tomography is more accurate and specific. The 1 falsely negative result with both methods occurred in a patient with microscopic (pathologic stage IIA) retroperitoneal disease. The falsely positive results with either technique were found in patients with borderline enlargement of the nodes (1 to 1.5 cm). Either computed abdominal tomography or abdominal ultrasonography is recommended for pre-treatment staging of testicular tumors.