OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic effect of helical CT on bladder tumor.

METHODSIn 28 patients with bladder tumors which had been confirmed by conventional fiberoptic cystoscopy (FC) and pathology, precontrast and four-phase postcontrast helical CT scans were performed with multiple plane reconstruction (MPR), three dimensional (3D) reconstruction and CT virtual cystoscopy (CTVC) images constructed from the volumetric data of the excretory phase. The results were then compared with the findings of conventional fiberoptic cystoscopy and surgery through a double-blind manner.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of the helical CT axial, 3D and CTVC images in detecting bladder tumor were 92.3%, 76.9% and 96.2% respectively. The accuracy in preoperative tumor staging of helical CT was 83.0%. The axial images could provide excellent intramural and extravesical information, and MPR could directly show the origin and extravesical invasion of the tumor and its relation to the ureter. 3D and CTVC images were useful in displaying the surface morphology of the tumor and its relation with the ureteric orifices, whereas CTVC images could depict a tumor smaller than 5 mm that could not be visualized on the axial images.

CONCLUSIONCombining interpretation of axial, MPR, 3D and CTVC images, helical CT is able to provide comprehensive information for the diagnosis and treatment of bladder tumor.