Lymphatic drainage from the lower rectum

Lymphatic drainage from the lower rectum was studied in 12 cases as reflected by the transport of 99mTc rhenium colloid after submucosal injection. The surgically dissected lymph nodes were classified according to the General Rules decided by the Japanese Research Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum, and their radioactivity was assayed individually by well-type scintiration counter. The results were as follows; 1) In 3 cases (25 %), the tracer was directly accumulated in intermediate and main nodes (jumping accumulation). 2) Values of accumulated index in the pelvic lymph nodes (lateral spread) were higher than those of the mesenteric nodes (upward spread). 3) In lateral spread, the obturator nodes were dominant in both their number and value of accumulated index. (author)