Suprapubic ultrasonography in the follow-up of superficial bladder tumors.

40 patients with superficial (grade 1-3, stage 0) transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were followed using urinary cytology, cystoscopy and suprapubic ultrasonography. Sonography detected tumors as small as 2.5 mm, but missed lesions that developed in the dome as well as flat anomalies associated with positive urinary cytology. Although, not a definitive alternative to cystoscopy, suprapubic ultrasonography of the bladder can, in selected cases, be used to widen the interval between endoscopic controls.