Ultrasound and Computed Tomography of the Abdomen in the Staging and Management of Testicular Carcinoma

Abstract

Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are ideal for imaging enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The authors evaluated 290 ultrasound and 188 CT examinations in 136 testicular cancer patients. Although CT interpretation was more reproducible than that of ultrasound, there was no significant accuracy difference of enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node detection between the 2 modalities. Accuracy improved when both examinations were used and interpreted in combination by a single radiologist. Accuracy rates for ultrasound and CT equaled those reported for lymphangiography. Lymphangiography and excretory urography are no longer routinely indicated in testicular cancer patients.