Abdominal ultrasonic scanning versus lymphangiography in testicular cancer

Abdominal ultrasonic scanning was compared to lymphangiography and intravenous urography in 50 patients with testicular cancer. In 25 lymphangiographic stage I patients, the ultrasonic scanning was normal in all cases, too. In 5 out of 25 lymphangiographic stage II patients, the ultrasonic examination demonstrated a wider extension of the retroperitoneal metastases than combined lymphangiography and urography. The ultrasonically demonstrated masses were proven to contain malignant cells through an ultrasonically-guided fine-needle puncture in all 5 cases. Sufficient planning of the radiation ports would not have been possible in these patients without the additional ultrasonic scanning. In monitoring of the therapeutic response, ultrasonic scanning was found superior to lymphangiography.