title: Shape of retroperitoneal lymph nodes at computed tomography does not correlate to metastatic disease in early stage non-seminomatous testicular tumors.
abstract: Variety Range (difference between the maximum and minimum transverse diameters in percentage of the minimum diameter) was calculated for 86 lumbar lymph nodes with maximum diameter ranging between 5 mm and 19 mm at CT. The nodes were located within a group (pre- and paracaval, interaortico-caval, pre- and paraaortic) which was removed during primary lymphadenectomy for non-seminomatous testicular tumor. Most nodes were fairly rounded with a Variety Range less than 20%. There was no difference between the largest node in a metastasis group (Variety Range less than 20% in 29 out of 36) and tumor free nodes (Variety Range less than 20% in 39 out of 50). A rounded shape of lymph nodes measuring less than 20 mm on transverse CT sections was not a reliable sign of metastasis in patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindsköld
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Stenwig
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ous
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Fosså
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*