Carcinoma of the cervix: percutaneous lymph node aspiration biopsy

Percutaneous retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy was performed on 129 patients with carcinoma of the cervix, in whom a lymphangiographic study was reported as suspicious or positive for metastatic nodal disease. Of 159 total biopsies, 114 were performed on external iliac nodes and 45 on paraaortic nodes. An overall accuracy of 68% was obtained without significant complication. The sensitivity of the test was 58% and the specificity 100%. In patients with suspicious lymphangiograms for metastatic disease, percutaneous biopsy identified metastases in 32% of the cases. The predictive value of a negative test was only 42%, but the predictive value of a positive test 100%.