Accuracy of CT in detecting intraabdominal and pelvic lymph node metastases from pelvic cancers.

In 40 patients with pelvic cancers evaluated by computed tomography (CT), CT was less accurate in demonstrating lymph node metastasis compared to its high accuracy in detecting nodal involvement in lymphoma patients. This largely reflects the inability of CT to detect alterations in internal architecture in a normal-sized lymph node. While less sensitive, CT is a more specific method than lymphangiography in detecting nodal involvement by pelvic cancers. The role of CT in the staging of pelvic cancers is discussed.