Abstrakt

Lymphocele is the structure formed due to lymph accumulation after systematic pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy in the retroperitoneum. It usually occurs within three months after the surgical procedure. Most lymphoceles are asymptomatic. However, larger lymphoceles can compress the surrounding structures in the pelvis resulting in clinical symptoms. An ultrasound examination is the most specific diagnostic imaging method with the characteristic sonographic features of the lymphocele. Therapy of the symptomatic lymphoceles is essential and it is mostly based on the size and location of the lymphocele. Treatment procedure may differ according to experience of the particular clinic. Besides the laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery, interventional radiology techniques as a puncture and drainage of the lymphocele under real-time sonographic control or application of sclerosing solutions to the lymphocele´s bed can be used. Infected lymphocele requires specific therapeutic strategy.