Based on the investigations carried out on 18 patients with testicular tumours, the results of CT-scanning are compared with the findings of conventional radiological examination and with lymphography in particular. At the actual state of technical evolution, the study reveals that CT-scanning does not possess sufficient spatial resolution to permit the diagnosis of very small lymph node metastases and all the more of a specific diagnosis of these metastases. Nevertheless, it remains a fact that CT-scanning obviously is a preferable method with respect to the visualisation of the exact extent and size of large involvements and the effects upon the surrounding tissues. CT-scanning is proposed as the screening-procedure with regard to patients suffering from testiscarcinoma, and allows, in a great number of cases, to make more invasive techniques superfluous.

Pringot, J; Ponette, E; Dardenne, A N; Coenen, Y; Henrion, J; Dive, C; Marchal, G; Baert, A L Author Information

Not longer than 15 years ago the only available morphological information about the pancreas was given by radiographs of the abdomen, the stomach, the duodenum and the biliary system.

During a period of one year, and in two departments with identical equipment, 1,480 underwent examination of the liver by computerised tomography (C. T.). A critical analysis of the method is made, based upon the diagnostic results obtained as well as the errors and gaps noted. After describing the normal liver, the authors give the "C. T. appearances" of the main hepatic conditions, based upon correlation with macroscopic pathological findings.

The diagnostic value of the whole body computer tomography for evaluation of pancreatic disease is reported. In 64% of the cases with pancreatitis anomalies were detected. In pancreatitis an increase as well as a diminution of the volume of the pancreatic gland can be encountered; both features can be detected by computer tomography. Detection of pancreatic tumors in the initial stage and differentiation from pancreatitis by computer tomography remains difficult.

About 70 patients with suspicion on conventional radiographic examination of a space occupying lesion of the kidney, were also evaluated by C. T. There was no problem to differentiate benign cystic lesions and obstructive hydronephrosis from solid tumors. More difficult however was the differential diagnosis of the different types of renal solid tumors from chronical inflammatory processes. For this reason selective angiography remains imperative in those conditions.