"Preliminary results show that 4D ultrasound virtual cystoscopy with fly-through is more accurate than 2D ultrasound to detect and characterize urinary bladder lesions," Dr. Vito Cantisani, from Sapienza University of Rome, told AuntMinnie.com.
The researchers looked at 30 patients using both ultrasound modalities, comparing the techniques to each other as well as with surgical and cystoscopy results, to which the readers were blinded.
4D ultrasound virtual cystoscopy detected six more tumors than 2D, and it also picked up two tumors missed by cystoscopy. Moreover, the ultrasound features of the lesions were consistent with descriptions provided at cystoscopy, without any significant differences in characterization.
While the group concluded that the 4D technique is more accurate than 2D ultrasound, more study is needed, according to Cantisani.
"Multicenter prospective evaluation is warranted to confirm if new ultrasound software such as 4D ultrasound cystoscopy with fly-through may help us follow-up patients treated conservatively for urinary bladder lesions," he said.
