[Lymphangiography--a guide in tumor nephrectomy?]

The anatomy of renal lymphatic vessels is described. Marked discrepancy in the results of lymphangiography carried out in 47 patients with kidney tumor and the histological examination of the lymphatic tissue removed by lymphadenectomy is discussed. However, there is a conclusive evidence of the prognostic value of lymphangiography concerning the postoperative survival of patients with kidney tumors. Due to misinterpretations of lymphangiography, the variability of the lymphatic outflow of the kidney as well as the predominant hematogenic spread of metastases of kidney tumors, lymphangiography does not appear to be a valuable diagnostic approach in renal carcinoma.