3D endosonogaphy as diagnostic modality in distal ureteral obstruction

Purpose: Evaluation of 3D endoluminal sonography as a diagnostic modality i n lower ureteral pathologies. Materials and Methods: Between December 93 an d Dezember 97, 36 consecutive patients with negative findings on IVP and st ill suspected ureteral obstruction were referred for transrectel or transva ginal endosonography. Patients mean age was 63 years and all of them presen ted clinically obvious symptoms such as colic pain and miction disturbances . Results: In 31 of 36 patients (86%) 3D endosonography was diagnostic alth ough previous IVP was negative. Reasons for ureteral obstructions were uret eral calculi in 23, urological tumours in 5 and rectal carcinoma in two cas es. In one patient a gynecological tumour caused the symptomatology. In the remaining 5 patients CTI MRT or invasive retrograde ureterography/ureteros copy had to be performed for the final diagnosis. Conclusions: The use of 3 D endosonography shows encouraging results in the diagnosis of distal urete ral pathologies, In case of negative findings on IVP it should therefore pr ecede invasive diagnostic modalities or cost intensive imaging techniques.