Value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To discuss the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC). Methods Color Doppler ultrasonography exam was practiced in 84 UTUC patients preoperatively. According to ultrasound characteristics, lesions was classified into nodular type, wall thickening type and solid mass type, which were confirmed by pathology in all cases postoperatively. Results In the total of 84 cases (76 transitional-cell carcinoma, 5 adenocarcinoma and 3 epidermoid carcinoma), lesions infiltrated laminae propria and surrounding tissue in 65 cases. In the nodular type of UTUC, there were nodules raising into lumen. Wall thickening type of UTUC was characterized by irregularly wall thickening, lumen narrowing, truncating and breaking. Similarly, obstruction broke off the ureteral lumen suddenly in solid mass type of UTUC. A clear demarcation could be found between the pipe wall and surrounding tissue in nodular type. However, such clear demarcation could not be found in wall thickening type and solid mass type. The accordance rate of ultrasonographic located diagnosis were 92.9% (78/84), with 6 missed diagnosis cases. The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis were 89.7% (70/78). Conclusions As result of color Doppler ultrasonography, there were different relationship between lesion and the peripheral tissue in different types of UTUC. In types of wall thickening and solid mass, the demarcation was unclear and it is easier to violate the surrounding tissue. Color Doppler ultrasonography can provide more effective information for diagnosis and therapy UTUC. Key words: Ultrasonography, Doppler, color; Urinary neoplasms; Tract urothelial carcinoma