CT FINDINGS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC PELVIC LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION AND TRANSPERINEAL RADIOACTIVE SEED IMPLANTATION FOR PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this paper is to describe the CT findings in patients undergoing transperineal sonographically guided radioactive seed implantation with and without laparoscopic lymph node dissection for treatment of carcinoma of the prostate gland. MATERIALS AND METHOD S. Ninety-six CT scans of the pelvis were retrospectively reviewed in patients who had undergone radioactive seed implantation of the prosta te gland, The CT readings were correlated with the type of procedure e ach patient had and the pathologic results of laparoscopic lymph node dissection. RESULTS. Of 73 patients who underwent laparoscopic lymph n ode dissection, 42 were found at CT to have low-attenuation masses alo ng lymph node chains, These masses resembled necrotic nodes. Only one patient who did not undergo laparoscopic lymph node dissection had sim ilar findings. Fourteen patients had fluid collections within the pelv is, 13 of whom had undergone laparoscopic lymph node dissection. Other imaging findings included ectopic seeds (10 patients) and subcutaneou s and intrapelvic air (11 patients). All except two patients had negat ive pathology reports for the removed lymph nodes, CONCLUSION. A wide variety of imaging findings may be seen after radioactive seed implant ation and laparoscopic lymph node dissection, including masses that re semble necrotic lymph nodes. Radiologists should be aware of these fin dings in asymptomatic patients.