The value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ureteral polyps

Objective To discuss the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ureteral polyps (UP). Methods Ninety-five cases with pathologically proven UP and 104 cases with pathological confirmed urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) were enrolled in the study. Their positive rate of color Doppler ultrasonography exam preoperatively were retrospectively analyzed and compared with pathological findings. Results Compared with pathological diagnosis, the accordance rate of color Doppler ultrasonography localization were 82.1%(78/95) and 80.8%(84/104) for UP and UTUC respectively, the accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis were 69.2%(54/78) and 90.5%(76/84). Color Doppler ultrasonographic features of UP displayed a clear demarcation between the pipe wall of ureter and surrounding tissue.However, such clear demarcation could not be found in UTUC. The accordance rate between two groups has statistically significant difference (P=0.000 6). Color Doppler ultrasonographic image showed no blood flow in the ureteral polyps, while mainly minor or medium amount of blood stream signals were found in most tumors of UTUC. According to Adler blood flow grading and the blood flow detective rate, the two groups demonstrated statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions With high resolution color Doppler ultrasonography and flexible operation technique, it can clearly observe the internal structure of ureter at obstruction end as well as boundary conditions of peripheral tissue, which will play a profound role in preoperative diagnosis and differential diagnosis of UP. Key words: Color Doppler ultrasonography; Ureteral polyps; Urinarytract urothelial carcinoma