Endosonographic staging of carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

The advantages of a new endosonic technique for staging carcinoma of the cervix are demonstrated. Using this method virtually all palpable findings can be objectified, and in most cases, assessing the size of the tumor inside the cervix seems to allow further differentiation in stage Ib. By imaging the parametrium, rectal sonography provides an important diagnostic aid for making the differentiation between stages Ib, IIb and IIIb. For assessment of the extent of vaginal infiltration, rectal ultrasound diagnosis and in particular vaginosonography can be used. Rectal and especially transurethral sonography are useful for detecting an infiltration of the bladder wall and for further evaluation of cystoscopically visible vesiculated oedema.