CORRELATION OF B-SCAN ULTRASONIC LAMINOGRAPHY WITH BILATERAL SELECTIVE HYPOGASTRIC ARTERIOGRAPHY AND LYMPHOGRAPHY IN BLADDER TUMORS.

Bilateral Selective Hypogastric Arteriography supplemented with Pedal Lymphography is an additional, reliable, and accurate method for staging of bladder cancer. It exceeds the reliability of present routine clinical staging, and in some instances, in our experience, exceeds the accuracy of pathological staging even on cystectomy specimens. Ultrasonography of bladder lesions does not approach the accuracy of arteriography but is a useful adjunct in that it is a non-invasive technique and can be of value in patients in which arteriography is contraindicated, unsuccessful, or of poor technical quality. It may also be of value in the follow-up of patients after surgery or radiation therapy. Ultrasonography cannot separate the components of a thickened bladder wall due to either tumor invading the wall, in contact with the wall, or in association with interstitial cystitis. It can detect enlargement of lymph nodes but it must be remembered that ultrasonograpby will not demonstrate metastatic implants within normal sized nodes or even in enlarged nodes. (Winterberger, 1974). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]