Aim: To evaluate applicability and efficacy CT virtual cystoscopy in detection of urinary bladder tumors.
Material and methods: During the period of 14 months, 17 patients with suspicion or present of some urinary bladder lesions has undergone CT virtual and conventional cystoscopy. After examination, all data were moved to the workstation for interactive endoluminal navigation. After that, radiologist analyzed transversal and virtual images without results of conventional cystoscopy and made conclusion.
Results: Results were divided according to their basic clinical application. By using this method, all lesions over 5 mm in size were revealed. In the group of patients that were followed up for urinary bladder tumors, three patients with carcinomatous lesion were revealed. Two tumors of bladder vault that were missed on transversal scan were visualized by virtual cystoscopy. Useful additional information about tumor spread was given in two patient. One tumor inside the bladder diverticulum was detected, that was not seen by conventional cystoscopy. In two patients, endoluminal origin of mass that could not be confirmed by conventional radiologic methods, was determined.
Conclusion: CT virtual cystoscopy is useful method and technics that promise a lot, especially in following situations: a) follow up of bladder tumors; b) supplemental estimation of endoscopically hardly accessible regions; c) differential diagnosis between intravesical and exravesical lesions. Optimal estimation offers adequate bladder distension with patient positioned on the back and on the belly and interpretation as well as on transversal and virtual images.