STAGING OF BLADDER-CARCINOMA BY COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY-GUIDED TRANSMURALCORE BIOPSY

In an attempt to improve staging of bladder cancer, computed tomograph y-guided transmural core biopsy was performed in 17 patients. In the f irst four patients a 0.9 mm cutting needle was used. This small needle yielded easily fragmented cores and consequently the remaining biopsi es were taken with a 1.2 mm needle with an improved result. In all but one case sufficient histological material to allow a diagnosis was ob tained by the core biopsy technique. Transmural tumor infiltration, as verified in corresponding cystectomy specimens, could be identified m ore often with the core biopsy than in biopsies obtained by transureth ral resection. False negative diagnosis occurred when the tumor was no t clearly visible on the computed tomography scan. No short-term side effects of clinical importance were found with the procedure.