Epithelial bladder neoplasm: staging by contrast helical CT

Objective To investigate the value of contrast helical CT in staging epithelial bladder neoplasm. Methods Total 53 female patients with epithelial bladder neoplasm confirmed pathologically underwent plain and contrast helical CT scan within one weak before surgery or biopsy, including 51 cases of transtional epithelial cancer, 1 case with papillary adenoma and another case with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Delayed CT scan was performed in 6 cases in filling phase. Results The helical CT diagnosis of epithelial bladder neoplasm based on local mass or irregular thickening of bladder wall, mild to moderate degree of enhancement. The enhanced basic line could be seen in 6 of 7 T1 cases and in 2 of 15 T2 cases, but none in T3 and T4 cases, which indicate tumor invading of out layer of muscles in T3 and T4. Conclusion The enhanced basic line is helpful in staging of the epithelial bladder neoplasm.