Role of 3-dimensional ultrasonography and virtual cystoscopy in detection of bladder lesions in patients with hematuria

ObjectiveTo study the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) sonography and sonographic cystoscopy in diagnosing bladder tumors in patients with hematuria in comparison with two-dimensional (2D) sonography.Patients and methodsTwenty-seven patients with hematuria underwent a trans-abdominal US for kidney and bladder. Patients with hematuria and free upper urinary tract at ultrasound underwent a 3D US and conventional cystoscopy (CS). The results of 3D US were compared with those of conventional cystoscopy.ResultsConventional cystoscopy revealed 22 tumors in 15 patients, while 12 patients showed no bladder tumors. Overall, 3D US gave a correct diagnosis in 21 of 22 lesions (95.5%) in the 15 patients and effectively diagnosed all the 12 negative cases as being negative. Three dimensional sonography had a sensitivity of 95.5%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 92.3% in comparison to 81.8%, 66.7%, 81.8% and 66.7% respectively by 2D US.Conclusion3D US was more sensitive than 2D US in diagnosing bladder tumors in patients with hematuria.