3D endosonography to clarify distal ureteral processes

Abstract

Evaluation of 3D endoluminal sonography as a diagnostic modality in lower ureteral pathologies. Between December 93 and December 97, 36 consecutive patients with negative findings on IVP and still suspected ureteral obstruction were referred for transrectal or transvaginal endosonography. Patients mean age was 63 years and all of them presented clinically obvious symptoms such as colic pain and miction disturbances. In 31 of 36 patients (86%) 3D endosonography was diagnostic although previous IVP was negative. Reasons for ureteral obstructions were ureteral calculi in 23, urological tumours in 5 and rectal carcinoma in two cases. In one patients a gynecological tumour caused the symptomatology. In the remaining 5 patients CT/MRT or invasive retrograde ureterography/ureteroscopy had to be performed for the final diagnosis. The use of 3D endosonography shows encouraging results in the diagnosis of distal ureteral pathologies. In case of negative findings on IVP it should therefore precede invasive diagnostic modalities or cost intensive imaging techniques.