Diagnosing lower ureteral obstruent disease using intraluminal sonograghy

Objective To evaluate the value of intraluminal sonograghy together with color Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of lower ureteral obstructing lesions. Methods A total of 39 patients with suspected lower ureteral obstruction were recruited for the evaluation by intraluminal sonograghy (through rectum or vigina) together with color Doppler imaging (CDFI). Results The correct diagnosis was made in 38 of these patients,including 33 ureteral stones, 4 ureteral carcinoma,1 ureteral stricture caused by surgical scarring. 1 misdiagnosis of tiny lower ureteral cyst was made in a patient who actually suffers from ureteral inflammatory stricture. Conclusion Intraluminal sonograghy, together with CDFI, is safe, cheap and useful in patients with lower ureteral lesions,providing better results than abdominal sonograghy.