Transabdominal ultrasonography of the bladder as a staging examination for cervical carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential of transabdominal ultrasonography to demonstrate the presence or absence of bladder infiltration in patients with cervical carcinoma.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
The oncology unit in a tertiary medical centre serving a black rural and urban population.


METHODS
110 consecutive unstaged patients with histologically proven cervical carcinoma.


METHODS
The findings-designated normal, suspicious or infiltration-on ultrasonography and cystoscopy.


RESULTS
Transabdominal bladder ultrasonography in this study had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 76,5%, a positive predictive value of 60,4% and a negative predictive value of 100% compared with cystoscopy in the evaluation of the bladder for infiltration by cervical carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not accepted as a staging procedure by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, transabdominal bladder ultrasonography can be used as a triage for bladder infiltration by cervical carcinoma in a cost-effective way, referring only those patients with abnormal cystoscopic and biopsy findings.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kalafong Hospital and University of Pretoria
E T
ET
de Jonge
S
S
Miskin
D003558:Cystoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy