REAL-TIME ULTRASONOGRAPHY - AN EFFICIENT SCREENING METHOD FOR ABDOMINAL AND PELVIC LYMPHADENOPATHY

D Beyer, P Peters

Abstract


Real-time ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis
was performed in 129 patients with malignant
lymphoma and malignant tumors in the course of
clinical and pathological staging.

The results of real-time ultrasonography were compared
with the findings of computed tomography,
lymphography and staging laparotomy.

Analysis of the data indicated a sensitivity of 72.6%
a specificity of 88.8% and an overall accuracy of
78.3 %.

Real-time ultrasonography, thus, proved to be an
efficient screening method for abdominal and pelvic
lymphadenopathy. It can reduce the number of
lymphographies as well as abdominal CT examinations.

Sonographic anatomy of the lymph system and the
varying features of lymphomatous involvement in
the peritoneal cavity and retroperitoneal space are
described, diagnostic pitfalls and the clinical importance
of real-time ultra sonography in the diagnostic
work-up in patients with adenopathy are detailed.


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