Role of transabdominal pelvic ultrasound and computed tomography in the detection of bladder involvement in advanced cancer of the cervix.

The imaging data of 125 advanced cancer cervix patients attending the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital between June 1992 and June 1994 was reviewed. The aim of the study was to assess the role of transabdominal pelvic ultrasound (TAPUS) and computed tomography (CT) in the detection of bladder involvement. TAPUS was performed in 65 patients (group I) and CT in 60 patients (group II). With respect to clinical stage, both groups were comparable. Cystoscopy was performed in all patients and the findings were taken as the gold standard for comparison of imaging data. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TAPUS were 65, 94 and 75%, respectively, while those for CT were 80, 92 and 85%, respectively. Results of the present study reveal that the accuracy of TAPUS is comparable to the accuracy of other imaging modalities in the detection of bladder involvement in cervical cancer and that it should be used more frequently in developing countries that deal with a large number of cervical cancer patients in view of its easy availability, low cost and absence of exposure to radiation.