[The importance of lymphography in melanoma].

It is a pity that, in view of its important prognostic value and for technical reasons, or because of problems of interpretation, lymphography should no longer be part of a routine work-up for diagnosing melanoma. Indeed, bipedal lymphography can accurately reveal the extent of node invasion in case of palpable adenopathy. It provides for the monitoring of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes after inguinal curettage has been accomplished. This method may reveal metastases at the subclinical stage. Axillary lymphography is especially valuable in case of palpable adenopathy. It has prognostic value in case of positive isotopic-clinical node involvement. Above all, however, it enables discarding the diagnosis of any secondary invasion, and preventing otherwise systematic axillary node curettage in 41% of cases. Lastly, if findings are normal, it affords a means for long-term follow-up.