Urologically operated suprapubic ultrasonography in the evaluation of bladder tumors

ABSTRACT

40 patients [29 males and 11 females] with an age range of 38-70 years [mean = 56 years], were scanned by transabdominal [suprapubic] ultrasound either because of clinical suspicion of bladder carcinoma [26 cases] or as a follow-up previously diagnosed lesions [14 cases]. The scanning was performed prior to cystoscopy by the same examiner [i.e urologically operated]. The accuracy of detection regarding tumor diameter was 68% and 100% in tumors of 0.5-1.0cm and > 2cm respectively; tumors < 0.5cm were not detected. The accuracy of detection regarding tumor site was 33% and 93% in dome and posterior wall tumors respectively, tumors of the bladder neck and the anterior wall were hard to detect. The sensitivity of the technique was 72% and the specificity was 83%. Although suprapubic scanning cannot replace cystoscoy in the detection and follow-up of bladder tumors yet when it is urologically operated it spares extra time and effort and it can spare also an extra negative cystoscopic check