Computed tomography, ultrasound and lymphography in the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma

Lymphographic findings were compared with the results at histopathology in 42 laparotomized patients with malignant lymphoma. Of 12 patients with lymphographically suggested lesions in normal-sized lymph nodes, only one had pathologic changes at histologic examination. Computed tomography gave a better idea of the extent of the disease than lymphography. Moreover, CT had an equal diagnostic accuracy as lymphography for demonstrating enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes. CT should therefore be able to replace lymphography in examination of malignant lymphoma. Ultrasound had the same diagnostic accuracy as CT regarding the upper and middle abdomen but not in the lower abdomen. Ultrasound is of special value in thin patients and when guided needle biopsy is required.