Lymph node sonography in the after care of malignant melanoma

Sonographic and palpatory lymph node findings were compared with the results of surgery or regular examination in a retrospective study of 167 melanoma patients. Sonography proved highly advantageous for diagnosis: whereas palpation indicated tumors at 83 of 277 lymph node locations, sonography showed 36 of the 83 to be false-positive. Moreover, sonography allowed the correct diagnosis of 6 non-palpable lymph node metastases. Sonographic diagnosis was initially uncertain in only 15 cases. Differential diagnoses and the limitations of lymph node sonography are described, and suggestions made for the application of this method in the postoperative care of melanoma patients.