[The diagnostic accuracy of lymphography in Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)]

Abstract

Between 1972 and 1975, exploratory laparotomies were carried out on 52 otherwise untreated patients with histologically verified Hodgkin's disease in stages I, II and III following lymphography. 84% of patients with negative lymphograms had histologically normal lymph nodes. 16% of negative lymphograms were shown to have to have histologically positive lymph nodes. Two out of eight patients diagnosed as positive on lymphography (25%) proved to be false positives caused by extensive lymph node involution. The diagnostic accuracy lymphography was therefore 83%. Surgical exploration was of value only in histologically positive cases. Post-operative control by means of lymphanigiography is essential for the evaluation of the course of Hodgkin's disease.