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Normal pelvic lymph nodes: evaluation with CT after bipedal lymphangiography
S J Vinnicombe1, A R Norman, V Nicolson
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St George's Hospital, London, England.
Radiology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Normal pelvic lymph node size is typically under 10 mm maximum short-axis diameter (MSAD). This finding helps improve computed tomography (CT) accuracy for detecting testicular cancer metastases.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Urology
Background:
- Accurate assessment of pelvic lymph nodes is crucial for staging testicular cancer.
- Computed tomography (CT) is a primary imaging modality, but its sensitivity for detecting small metastases can be limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish guidelines for normal pelvic lymph node size using CT and lymphangiography.
- To correlate imaging findings and determine size thresholds for normal nodes.
Main Methods:
- Forty men with stage I testicular tumors underwent CT scans post-lymphangiography.
- Maximum short-axis diameter (MSAD) of pelvic lymph nodes was measured at four sites.
- Data analyzed using histograms, medians, and percentiles.
Main Results:
- Over 1,800 nodes were measured in 40 patients after lymphangiography.
- Median MSAD of pelvic lymph nodes was 5 mm or less.
- Fewer than 2% of nodes exceeded 10 mm MSAD.
Conclusions:
- Normal pelvic lymph nodes generally measure less than 10 mm MSAD.
- Adopting these size limits may enhance CT sensitivity for detecting lymph node metastases.
- Improved CT interpretation can aid in more accurate testicular cancer staging.