Transrectal ultrasonography in the evaluation of rectal and extrarectal diseases

Transrectal ultrasound was used to evaluate known on suspected rectal and extra-rectal masses. 32 patients were examined, 25 patients with rectal carcinoma and 7 patients with extra-rectal masses. All patients underwent surgical exploration. They include, rectal cancers, recurrent cancer bladder, posterior uterine wall leiomyoma, perirectal abscesses and presacral endometriosis. Pathological staging of rectal cancer cases after surgery, had shown that transrectal ultrasound was accurate in detecting the site of rectal cancer, defining perirectal fat infiltration and perirectal lymph node involvement. The results suggest that, transrectal ultrasound is a cost effective, reliable adjunct for staging rectal cancers