Purpose: We performed this prospective cohort study to compare the accuracy and technical characteristics of ultra-low-dose CT cystography with those of conventional retrograde cystography.
Materials and methods: A cohort of 31 patients referred for cystography after bladder repair were enrolled. To detect urine leakage, we initially performed conventional cystography after retrograde distention of the bladder with dilute iodinated contrast material, followed by ultra-low-dose CT cystography. The diagnostic accuracy of these two modalities was compared, and the technical characteristics of ultra-low-dose CT cystography were examined.
Results: All 31 referred patients were included in this study. Of the 31 patients, 27 (87.1%) underwent bladder repair after radical prostatectomy, 3 (9.7%) after radical cystectomy, and 1 (3.2%) after bladder diverticulectomy. Four of the 31 patients were diagnosed with urine leakage by conventional cystography. These four patients were confirmed to have urine leakage by ultra-low-dose CT cystography. Another five patients who did not have urine leakage according to conventional cystography were diagnosed with urine leakage by ultra-low-dose CT cystography. Moreover, performing ultra-low-dose CT cystography enabled us to identify the precise location and amount of urine leakage in all nine patients. Based on these findings, we were able to establish a proper treatment plan.
Conclusions: Ultra-low-dose CT cystography is an accurate method for evaluating urine leakage after bladder repair, and this technique may help determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for patients with urine leakage after bladder repair.
Keywords: Anastomotic leakage; Computed tomography; Fluoroscopy; Radiation dosage.