Lymphocyst: ultrasound diagnosis and urologic management

Three cases of lymphocysts occurred in a series of 97 patients undergoing extension pelvic urological operations, an incidence rate of 3.1 per cent. This is the first report of this complication after urological lymphadenectomy. Awareness of the entity is important to urologists since lymphatic staging operations for prostate and bladder carcinoma are widely used to help plan definitive therapy. Athough this complication is rare after renal transplantation it may cause significant interference with graft function. The etiology, symptoms, findings, diagnosis and treatment of this condition are reviewed. Echography is presented as an ideal technique to diagnose the condition and to guide in its management.