Lymphatic drainage of the pericardium to the mediastinal lymph nodes

The lymphatic drainage of the pericardium may have a prognostic value in lu ng cancer and its anatomical pattern was the purpose of this study. The lym phatic vessels of the pericardium were visualized on 12 fresh adult human c adavers by injection of a green colorant by means of the classical equipmen t for pedal lymphography. Seventeen injections were performed on the right side and 22 injections on the left side, visualizing 20 and 29 lymphatic pa thways respectively. Whatever the side injected, the lymphatic vessels main ly directed toward the tracheobronchial nodes (n = 35) and less frequently toward the prepericardial lymphatic vessels and nodes (n = 14). Such result s demonstrate the aggravating role played by the lymphatic drainage in the prognosis of the lung cancers invading the pericardium.