[Relevance of radiological imaging for lymph node surgery of urological tumors]

This review illustrates the relevance of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting or excluding lymph node metastases in urological malignancies. Although radiological assessment of lymph node metastases is well established in renal cell and testicular cancer, it is unreliable in prostate, bladder, and penile cancer. MR lymphography has shown promising results in these tumors, but because marketing authorization for the iron oxide contrast agent is lacking, it is not clinically applicable. Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy in the retroperitoneum and pelvis is introduced as an alternative in the histological exploration of suspicious lymph nodes.