THE VALUE OF RADIOISOTOPE ANGIOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSING UROLOGICAL DISEASES

Abstract

RI angiography was performed on renal, bladder and prostatic tumors and intrascrotal lesions to assess the diagnostic efficiency and the limitation of this technique.
1) Using this technique for renal space occupying lesions, renal carcinoma and renal solitary cyst were found in 8 of 10 and all 5 patients respectively. Though the isotope angiograms were not comparable with ordinary angiographic films in the view point of resolution, this technique was regarded as a screening test.
2) The tumor image diagnostic method could detect bladder tumors in 35 of 50 patients. Accordingly, this technique does not seem to be so reliable in diagnosing the localization of tumors compared with other radiographic examination techniques. But this procedure was helpful not only for the diagnosis of tumors but also for the evaluation of the tumors in cases where it was difficult to use ordinary methods.
3) Distinct prostatic images were obtained in 1 treated and 6 untreated of 12 prostatic cancer patients using this technique. No prostatic images were obtained in the remaining 2 untreated and 3 treated patients.
Therefore, this technique would be applied for the evaluation of the treatment of prostatic cancer. On the other hand, benign prostatic hypertrophy reveald the accumlation of prostatic images in 2 of 10 patients.
4) A marked perfusion to the scrotal area was demonstrated in 1 testicular tumor, 1 orchids and 4 epididymytis.
In conclusion, in spite of the lower resolution power of this tool, RI angiography was found to be valuable in combination with a computer in processing images. RI angiography is safe, simple, rapid and useful as a screening test in urological diseases.