Cystosonography in the detection of bladder tumors: a prospective and retrospective study.

To determine the sensitivity of real-time abdominal ultrasound as a screening test to detect bladder tumors, a prospective study of 100 patients with painless hematuria was undertaken. Each patient was examined by excretory urography, bladder ultrasound, and cystoscopy. Results of the ultrasound and intravenous urography examinations were compared with cystoscopy results. Of 14 bladder lesions noted, ultrasound detected seven prospectively whereas intravenous urography detected 12. With awareness of the ultrasonographic appearance of bladder tumors, 12 lesions could be detected retrospectively. A fully distended bladder is necessary to avoid simulation of a neoplasm and false-positive ultrasound findings. Awareness of the cystosonographic appearance of bladder tumors may allow detection of asymptomatic tumors during routine pelvic ultrasound examinations.