CT scanning in the male genital tract and in recurrent rectal carcinoma: a review.

A review of the literature reveals that CT scanning of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic structures is an excellent diagnostic tool for treatment planning and radiation therapy. Structures such as the seminal vesicles, which can only be seen on invasive procedures, or tumors outside the bladder or lymph node enlargement may be easily viewed on CT. Most observers feel that the accuracy of CT scanning at diagnosing adenopathy is in the range of 70% to 80%. Most observers also agree that CT scanning alters the treatment plan in 30% to 40% of the cases. Recurrent carcinoma of the colon in soft tissue can be seen in the pelvis and presacral hollow in males who after abdominoperineal resection are left without an orifice to allow examination from the pelvis. CT scanning is an excellent diagnostic tool for treatment planning in therapeutic radiology.