[Primary lymph node metastases in malignant melanoma studied via high-resolution real-time sonography--its value and indications].

To detect regional lymph node metastases 217 patients with melanoma were examined both sonographically and clinically. Metastases were found in 15 patients by means of palpation, and in 26 patients via ultrasound. Sonography was evidently superior and enabled differentiation between metastatic changes and inflammatory enlargements of lymph nodes. Because of its excellent accuracy ultrasound examination should be performed both in preoperative tumour staging and in posttherapeutic monitoring.