Computed tomographic detection of pelvic and inguinal lymph-node metastases from primary and recurrent pelvic malignant disease.

Computed tomography (CT) detected enlarged pelvic nodes in 32 of 127 patients (25%) with carcinoma of the cervix, bladder, or prostate. Pelvic or inguinal lymph nodes were confirmed pathologically in 35 patients. CT was true-positive in 17 of 20 patients with lymph-node metastases (sensitivity, 85%), false-negative in 3 or 20 patients (15%) with metastases, true-negative in 10 or 15 patients without metastases (specificity, 67%), and false-positive for lymph-node metastases in 5 of 15 patients (33%). CT was correct in 27 of 35 patients (77%). Detection of external iliac-, obturator-, and inguinal-node metastases by CT is discussed.